Good scientific practice includes general principles of scientific work, for example

•     working lege artis
•     documenting results
•     consistently questioning all results yourself
•     maintaining strict honesty with regard to the contributions of partners, competitors and predecessors

As well as

•     cooperation and leadership responsibility in working groups
•     the supervision of junior researchers

Violations of the principles of good scientific practice are referred to as scientific misconduct. It occurs, for example, when

•     false statements are made intentionally or through gross negligence
•     intellectual property or other third-party scientific achievements are used without authorization
•     unjustified claims to co-authorship are asserted
•     the research activities of other persons are impaired
•     are accused of joint responsibility for scientific misconduct or other dereliction of duty
•     a criminal offense or an administrative offense is committed

The ombudspersons of the UW/H (Prof. Dr. Johannes Michalak, deputy: Prof. Dr. Guido Möllering) provide confidential advice on questions and conflicts in the area of good scientific practice. In the event of conflicts, mediation between the conflicting parties is sought. The ombudsperson can be contacted by people who have questions about good scientific practice or wish to report misconduct. Individuals who feel they have been accused of scientific misconduct can also contact the ombudsperson. The ombudsperson helps by providing solution-oriented conflict moderation based on the rules of good scientific practice. Where possible, mediation, compromise and reconciliation between the parties are sought.

All information entrusted to the ombudsperson and the content of all discussions are treated with absolute confidentiality.

The ombudsperson can provide the following support:

•     Advice (e.g. whether scientific misconduct has occurred)
•     Information on the ombudsperson procedure and possible options
•     Examination of the allegations
•     Mediation or arbitration at the request of the person reporting the allegation
•     In the event of conflicts of interest or if the problem cannot be classified as scientific misconduct: Contact mediation to another counseling center

In the event of scientific misconduct, there is also the option of seeking advice and support outside the UW/H from the Ombudsman for Science (https://ombudsman-fuer-die-wissenschaft.de/).