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Research in Progress
Guidance
on dealing with research misconduct
What is the Trust's procedure for dealing with research misconduct?
We recognise that in research, misconduct and fraud, fall into two broad categories (i) deliberate and possibly malicious and (ii) unintentional and not malicious, possibly as a result of carelessness, ignorance or lack of critical awareness. We would, wherever possible, ensure the approach was comparable with existing Trust policies for non-R&D issues.
Currently the R&D Director is informed of suspected misconduct and fraud via
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Trust audit system
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Local research ethics committees
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Individual concerns
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Commercial research partners
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Non-commercial research partners
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Internal financial audit system
The current system for dealing with reported misconduct and/or fraud is as follows:
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As soon as the R&D Director is informed of suspected misconduct or fraud he undertakes a preliminary investigation of the facts of the case.
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Action to safeguard patient welfare is taken immediately where appropriate.
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The R&D Director decides whether there is a case to answer.
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If further action is required the R&D Director ensures that the Risk Management Department and the appropriate local research ethics committee are informed and the appropriate Trust disciplinary or incapability procedure is set in motion.
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For cases of professional misconduct and incompetence in medical, dental and midwifery staff the Trust Medical Director is informed and the Trust Disciplinary Procedure for Medical, Dental & Midwifery staff is followed which sets out the range of actions which may be taken depending on individual circumstances.
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For cases of misconduct for all Trust staff other than medical, dental and midwifery staff the appropriate line manager is informed and the Trust General Disciplinary Procedure is followed which sets out the range of actions which may be taken depending on individual circumstances. Cases of personal misconduct for medical, dental and midwifery staff are dealt with under this general procedure.
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For cases of incompetence for all Trust staff other than medical, dental and midwifery staff the appropriate line manager is informed and the Trust Incapability Procedure is followed which sets out the range of actions that may be taken depending on individual circumstances.
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What should I do if I am concerned about a research project?
If you have any concerns
about a research project, please read the above and follow the Trust's Policy
and Procedure for Hearing Staff Concerns 
Please note that this policy document is only available on the Trust intranet site. If you don't have access to the intranet and require a copy of this policy, please contact the R&D Department.
Procedures for academic research at the University of Leeds
The University
of Leeds has a protocol for investigating and resolving allegations of misconduct
in academic research. This can be accessed via the Research Support Unit's
website or by clicking
here 
The University
also has a Code
of Practice on WhistleBlowing