If research misconduct is suspected, a complaint can be submitted to the appropriate committee or officer designated by the institution. The institution must ensure a thorough and fair process for addressing such complaints, including any resulting judgments. It is crucial to distinguish between questionable practices and misconduct by considering factors like the extent of non-compliance, intent, and potential consequences.
When research misconduct is confirmed, the institution's board must determine if sanctions are necessary and possible. Any sanction should be appropriate and proportionate. In severe cases, penalties such as formal reprimands, transfers, demotions, or dismissals may be imposed. Additionally, the institution may need to report the matter to relevant regulatory bodies or authorities with the power to impose further sanctions.
Even if no sanctions are imposed, non-compliance must still be addressed. Researchers at all levels must hold themselves and others accountable to prevent recurrence and mitigate any negative effects. The institution may also need to implement preventive measures to improve research practices, ensure compliance with standards, and enable timely detection of issues.
A comprehensive overview of the standards is available in Chapter 5 of the Netherlands Code of Conduct for Research Integrity. Specific contacts for issues at Tilburg University will be discussed in Chapter 5 of this e-learning module.