Scientific integrity
At the GSLS, we uphold the highest standards of scientific integrity. We expect all students to conduct their research honestly, responsibly, and transparently throughout your studies. By following these principles, you contribute to a trustworthy academic environment and ensure your work meets professional standards.
A zero-tolerance policy for fraud and plagiarism
Scientific integrity means conducting research with honesty, accuracy, transparency, and responsibility. This applies to all assignments, reports, and theses.
If you falsify survey responses, manipulate research data, or copy text or ideas without proper citation, you commit academic misconduct. The university scans all submitted work for plagiarism.
Anyone who commits or helps commit fraud or plagiarism will face disciplinary action under the Education and Examination Regulations. Depending on the nature and extent of the fraud or plagiarism committed, one or more of the following sanctions may be imposed, among others:
- Invalidation of the assignment
- A formal note in Osiris
- Exclusion from participation in the remaining exams of the course concerned
- Complete exclusion from participation in all exams for a period of up to 12 months
Students found guilty cannot graduate cum laude, regardless of their academic performance.
Top 3 scientific misconduct
- Fabrication, making up results and recording or reporting them.
- Falsification, manipulating research processes or changing or omitting data.
- Plagiarism is appropriating another person's ideas, research results, or words without giving appropriate credit.
Your responsibility as a student
As a GSLS Student, you must follow the Netherlands Code of Conduct for Research Integrity (2018) and The European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity. You have to acknowledge sources correctly and avoid plagiarism. Maintain accurate, complete, and secure research records. Additionally, respect authorship criteria and give proper credit to collaborators.
Please note that you need approval from relevant ethics committees before starting research involving humans or animals. Always ask your supervisor if you are unsure about ethical procedures or authorship rules.
Report concerns safely
If you encounter or suspect a breach of scientific integrity:
- Speak to your supervisor or programme coordinator.
- Contact the confidential advisor for scientific integrity at UU if needed.
- Use formal reporting channels when necessary.
Your concerns will be treated seriously and confidentially.