The Institute of Medicine’s report, produced at the request of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Research Integrity, examines how research institutions can cultivate environments that foster integrity in scientific research. The Committee asserts that promoting research integrity cannot rely solely on regulatory compliance or federal mandates, but must instead arise from a pervasive ethical culture led by the institutions themselves. The report emphasizes that responsibility for fostering and maintaining research integrity should be rooted in comprehensive education – especially when delivered by actively engaged faculty – and integrated into the core research experience across all institutional levels. A key message is the need for continuous self-assessment and external peer review, with the encouragement of broader data collection and research into factors affecting integrity.
The report presents six major recommendations: greater research into integrity-related factors, institution-driven comprehensive integrity programs, education centered on responsible conduct, rigorous self and external evaluation processes (including through accreditation), and the creation of a national database to share best practices. While the focus is primarily on training graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, the committee suggests expanding education to broader audiences within institutions. Recognizing the role of professional societies and journals in shaping norms and expectations, the committee also points to the need for faculty involvement, discipline-specific adaptation, and robust assessment frameworks. Limitations are acknowledged, such as the current scarcity of empirical data and the challenge of engaging all faculty, but the overall tone is one of strategic, institutionally driven action supported by ongoing assessment and a commitment to meaningful educational practices in research integrity.
