Scientific Integrity & Quality Management
The Faculty of Medicine is committed to scientific integrity and quality management.
The "Code of Good Scientific Practice and Dealing with Scientific Misconduct" is the guideline for scientific integrity of the University of Cologne. This guideline is expressed by
- mandatory curricular modules within the framework of structured doctoral programs ("Scientific Writing", "Working and publishing in Science", "Communication in Science" and "Ethics, Theory of Sciences and Legislation on Research") as well as
- a multifaculty set of workshops to convey the principles of "Good Scientific Practice".
The regulations also regulate the guidelines for authorship in publications. If scientific misconduct is suspected, the appropriate ombudspersons can be contacted who work confidentially and unbound by instructions. The established management of research data aids the documentation, proof, protection and auditbility of scientific results.
A guideline on management of research data was adopted by the Senate in October 2017. Further measures to ensure scientific integrity are the plagiarism inspections of all submitted dissertations at the commencement of the doctoral process in IPMM and IPHS. In addition, the Medical Faculty has introduced an obligatory external review for doctoral theses that are to be assessed as "summa cum laude". In addition, the principle of "double" supervision of doctoral students (supervisor together with tutor) applies here.
Detailed measures:
Studies
From the first semester onwards, students of human medicine and dentistry will be informed about good scientific practice and particular emphasis is placed on the active avoidance of plagiarism by correct citation of scientific sources in the course "Research in Medical Studies". In the case of so-called scientific projects within the curriculum and structure of human medicine studies and medical dissertations, all students and doctoral candidates must sign a statement in which they confirm that they have read and understood the "Regulations on Good Scientific Practice" of the University of Cologne and that they bear them in mind in all scientific activities.
Doctorate (Dr. med. (dent.))
Since winter semester 15-16, doctoral students must participate in modules of the Graduate School of Human Medicine and Dentistry, which include a lecture on good scientific practice and prevention of scientific misconduct. In addition, all dissertations of the Faculty of Medicine are inspected for plagiarism using an electronic program.
Promotion (Dr.nat.med. / PhD)
Inside our structured doctoral programs, there are various obligatory curricula that ensure scientific integrity/quality, for example: "Scientific Writing", "Working and publishing in Science", "Communication in Science" and "Ethics, Theory of Sciences and Legislation on Research". In addition, the Albertus Magnus Center coordinates a interfaculty range of workshops to convey the principles of "Good Scientific Practice". The focal points are ethics in human and veterinary medicine research, design and evaluation of experimental data, data protection, authorship, etc.
In addition, doctoral students particularly in IPMM and IPHS receive two tutors (a professor and a senior scientist) when they are admitted, who act as an"external" quality control of the doctoral project and can be called in for advice and mediation in the event of any conflicts. In cases of conflict, there is also the option of contacting an ombudsperson as a contact person who works confidentially and unbound by instructions.
Confidential lecturers for the interests of the students
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