Research Integrity

Research Integrity refers to the adherence to ethical principles and professional standards that are essential for conducting research responsibly and ensuring its credibility. These principles ensure that research is trustworthy, accurate, and carried out in a way that respects the rights and dignity of all participants and contributors. While these standards are well-established in scientific research and fields that involve writing—such as through the use of citation practices and peer review processes—there is often ambiguity when it comes to practice-based research, especially in disciplines like art and design.

In practice-based research, where the output may not always be text-based but rather a product, performance, or design, the guidelines can sometimes be unclear or applied inconsistently. This can result in dubious research practices or excessive protectionism. Protectionism, in particular, can stifle the open exchange of ideas, as makers may be hesitant to share their work openly. This hinders collaboration and the development of a collective body of knowledge, which are crucial for advancing research in creative fields.

Clarifying and adapting research integrity standards to suit the unique nature of practice-based research is therefore essential. This includes promoting transparency, ensuring proper attribution, and fostering a culture of openness (such as an open source or creative commons license) that supports both ethical responsibility and creative freedom.

In this section, we will explore the core values that define research integrity—such as rigor, ethics, and diversity—and examine how these values can be interpreted and applied effectively in the context of art and design research.