Research Integrity

Abstract

The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (Wits, or the University), is a research intensive university that strives for excellence in research as part of the broader scope of scholarly endeavour. Research is understood to be the process of thorough investigation, systematic discovery and/or rigorous analysis that aims to uncover the truth, produce a deeper understanding and/or create new knowledge. Importantly, research is inexorably intertwined with the principles of integrity, honesty and reliability. The aim of this policy is to influence the behaviour of individuals and the corporate University, and to get researchers to collectively commit to conducting research with the utmost integrity and ethics. This commitment is made within the context of the full recognition that academic and intellectual freedom enables high quality research. This policy is to be read in conjunction with the Wits Code of Conduct1. It is important to recognise too that breaches of research integrity norms and standards lead inevitably to the harm of participants and damage to the reputations of individuals and the University, which in turn impedes ongoing and future high quality research.