Strengthening Research Integrity: A Library-Led Program for Early-Career Researchers

Research misconduct and its impact 

In 2010, Danish research faced a scandal when one of the nation's star scientists—neuroscientist Milena Penkowa, celebrated as a high-profile scientist, the recipient of prestigious awards and substantial research grants—was sentenced to a three-month suspended prison term for fraud and embezzlement.  

Penkowa displayed a public jet-set life within Danish research circles, with well-connected friends, as well as a flashy red sports car. Beyond her conviction for fraud, Penkowa was charged with scientific misconduct after fabricating results from 784 rat experiments in her doctoral dissertation. She subsequently lost her professorship, her doctorate, and her position at the University of Copenhagen. 

The case sent shockwaves through both the public and the Danish research community, which—then and now—largely operates on trust, with researchers expected to act with high integrity and adhere to clear ethical standards. Ultimately, the Milena Penkowa case catalyzed Denmark’s efforts to embed research integrity into its science policy agenda. 

Common issues lie in perceived gray areas: trading authorship for goodwill among colleagues, using the peer review process to boost citations, or choosing research topics based on media appeal rather than scholarly value, to name a few. However, these practices are strictly unethical and against proper research protocol. 

It became clear to universities that the most valuable approach would focus on early-career researchers, particularly PhD students and postdocs. This group was identified as the priority for targeted efforts. Moreover, the responsibility of research integrity should not rest solely with researchers. 

The university library as a hub for research integrity training

To anchor support for early-career researchers institutionally, the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) looked to the university library—a decision that became a win-win for the university, the university library, and young researchers for several reasons. 

Secondly, the university library was well positioned to support this initiative. In recent decades, many traditional library tasks have been automated, freeing libraries to develop new services. University libraries are uniquely placed to provide such support since they cater to all disciplines across institutions. Given the cross-disciplinary relevance of research integrity, establishing a library-based hub was an obvious choice. 

Having presented the case and after having obtained support from SDU’s five deans and the faculties’ PhD schools, the library facilitated the development of a mandatory training program for all PhD students. This program consists of four half-day modules followed by an assessment, i.e. a multiple-choice test or a short essay. Each course is tailored to meet the specific needs of the five faculties and is developed and delivered in collaboration with faculty professors. 

The first module focuses on FFP (Falsification, Fabrication, Plagiarism) and QRP (Questionable Research Practices), covering what they entail and the consequences of violating both written (FFP) and unwritten (QRP) research rules. This module is intended not as a lecture, but as an invitation to self-reflection and self-regulation. 

The next module addresses laws, regulations, and internal policies relevant to researchers. For early-career researchers—particularly international students—understanding local laws and knowing where to seek help when needed can be challenging. 

Research Data Management (RDM) is crucial in discussions about research integrity, and it’s the focus of the third module. The FAIR principles are covered in depth, and students learn the importance of RDM, as well as how and where to securely store their research data. They also receive guidance on creating an RDM plan that aligns with funder requirements. 

The final module addresses scholarly communication with a focus on research publishing. Within the “Publish or Perish” paradigm, young researchers have little room for error, and research indicates that establishing a structured publication plan early on can significantly enhance their chances of success. However, publishing is fraught with pitfalls: how to avoid predatory publishers, negotiate authorship distribution, understand "papermills" and “citation cartels”, perform and navigate peer review, and understand the role academic publishers play in research dissemination. 

In 2024, SDU’s Responsible Conduct of Research courses celebrated their 10th anniversary. Over the past decade, more than 1000 students have completed the courses. Student evaluations have consistently been high, with many open discussions about research integrity taking place. Furthermore, these courses have enabled the University of Southern Denmark Library to secure a prominent role locally, nationally, and internationally, as they have been the focus of several academic articles and conference presentations. 

For further information about these courses, feel free to contact the authors.