1.3.1 Transparency
A. Background & Definitions
The EQIPD Quality System relies on, and should become part of, the overall organizational quality culture.
Research quality is not just about following formal rules or regulations for how data is collected, processed, and reported. It is also about cultivating habits and attitudes that support integrity and transparency throughout the research process.
Many initiatives aimed at increasing the value of research data focus on enhancing transparency in various research-related activities — from improving openness within the research organization to clearly disclosing conflicts of interest when communicating with external stakeholders.
B. Guidance & Expectations
EQIPD does not require any formal documentation or in-depth analysis for this item. However, it is strongly encouraged that the Process Owner — and the organization more broadly — promote transparency at all levels.
Examples of transparent practices include, but are not limited to:
- Members of a research unit being aware of who is responsible for what. For example:
- maintaining a shared list or inventory of ongoing projects and experiments
- ensuring clarity about individual roles in projects, experiments, and upcoming publications
- Awareness among team members of any potential conflicts of interest
- Clear communication within the team about decisions and the criteria behind them, for example:
- how decisions are made regarding publications, conference participation, or whether to advance or terminate a project
C. Resources
- The European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity provides guiding principles for responsible research conduct, including transparency and accountability, and is a valuable reference when establishing a research culture that aligns with the EQIPD QS.
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