Adherence to the nationally and internationally recognised basic principles of scientific integrity is indispensable for the credibility of scientific research. Researchers at the University of Lucerne are committed to the principles of reliability, probity, respect and responsibility and engage in self-critical dialogue with the scientific community and the public.

Unless the University of Lucerne has made other arrangements, the rules of scientific integrity recognised in the research community and in the individual subject areas are applicable, in particular the Code of Conduct for Scientific Integrity of the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences.

The University of Lucerne takes preventive measures in the area of scientific integrity, in particular by training students and doctoral candidates in the principles of good scientific practice as part of their education and by providing counselling and training services for researchers at all levels and in all disciplines. The preventive measures are supported by the Grants Office, in close cooperation with the Graduate Academy.

Researchers are free to choose their research objectives and methods. Excluded from this are ethically unacceptable research objectives or methods or those that have potentially harmful effects on individuals, society or the environment and cannot be justified by the expected benefits of the research project.

All persons working on a research project are responsible for the accuracy of the data they collect. To ensure that research can be reviewed intersubjectively and data can also be analysed from other points of view, all data (incl. raw data) must be documented completely, clearly and accurately and made accessible in application of the internationally recognised principles (FAIR principles), provided that no rights (in particular copyright and data protection regulations) or time-limited pre-publication embargoes prevent this.

As a matter of principle, research findings shall be made accessible to the public in an unbiased and complete manner, provided that no interests of confidentiality or contractual obligations prevent publication. Anyone who has made a significant contribution to the planning, implementation, evaluation or control of the research work through personal scientific work shall be listed as an author.

All sources used for the research must be cited in the publication. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the research process must be disclosed; the authors remain personally responsible for any infringements of copyright and other rights.

Reviewers shall write reviews in an unbiased, well-founded, objective, constructive and timely manner. If there is a reason for bias or a conflict of interest in the scientific reviewer's work, this must be disclosed to the commissioning party immediately and the review assignment must be waived.

Members of the University of Lucerne may contact the head of the Grants Office or his or her deputy in the event of questions or disputes concerning scientific integrity. 

In conflict situations between university members, the ombudsman's office of the University of Lucerne can be called upon and asked to mediate.

Counselling sessions are confidential. A report to the integrity commissioner is only permissible with the consent of the person seeking advice.

In the event of suspected scientific misconduct, a report can be filed with the Integrity Officer or the Whistleblowing Office.

If, after an initial preliminary investigation, the suspicion of scientific misconduct is consolidated, the Integrity Officer shall submit an application to the rector for the opening of a formal investigation procedure.

Regulations on Scientific Integrity in Research and Good Scientific Practice at the University of Lucerne (Integrity Regulations UniLU)

Code of Conduct For Scientific Integrity of the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences