What is research integrity?
This article was originally published in 2019 and updated in April 2025.
Author: Alice Henchley
Director of Communications, Integrity, Ethics and Editorial Policy
Research integrity is the adherence to ethical principles and academic rigour in conducting and reporting scientific research, in order to maintain trust in science. At Springer Nature, the Research Integrity Group supports the research community by promoting use of best practices from the outset, and protects the publication record in case of integrity concerns. Watch an insightful video on the Research Integrity Group’s work to ensure every published research is reliable.
Academic publications drive scientific progress. They communicate discoveries and support societal development by providing validated knowledge. They inform evidence-based solutions to global challenges. That’s why it is so important that the research we publish can be trusted and relied upon.
“Trust in research is absolutely critical. And in order to trust research, it of course has to demonstrate integrity.”
Chris Graf, Research Integrity Director, Springer Nature
Springer Nature’s Research Integrity Group investigates holistically and thoroughly any concern that is flagged regarding published content. Once the investigation is complete, its conclusions are referred to the editor-in-chief of the publication for final decision on what action to take.
Watch the video to hear from the Research Integrity Group about the various types of concerns they investigate and their commitment to safeguarding the scientific record:
Explore more comprehensive videos from the Research Integrity Group which elaborate the process of investigating integrity concerns and detail the steps involved in deciding what actions to take after an investigation is concluded:
Safeguarding the scientific record: Investigating a research integrity concern
Safeguarding the scientific record: Taking action after a research integrity investigation
Learn more about research integrity at Springer Nature.
Author: Alice Henchley
Director of Communications, Integrity, Ethics and Editorial Policy
Alice Henchley is Director of Communications, Integrity, Ethics and Editorial Policy, at Springer Nature, where she has worked for the past 12 years. Following many years of focus on global communications of research content and related issues management, she now specialises in integrity, ethics and editorial policy matters, including AI ethics. A communications specialist with more than seventeen years’ experience, Alice has experience of research, publishing and policy communication and reputation management and is a trustee of the UK’s Science Media Centre. Prior to Springer Nature, Alice held roles at the Royal Society and Zoological Society of London.
