RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 An exploration of practices affecting research integrity in global health partnerships
JF BMJ Global Health
JO BMJ Global Health
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP e009092
DO 10.1136/bmjgh-2022-009092
VO 7
IS 8
A1 Lindsay Troughton
A1 Angela Obasi
YR 2022
UL http://gh.bmj.com/content/7/8/e009092.abstract
AB Background Research integrity is central to good research practice yet it is under-researched in global health.Aim To identify and explore factors which promote or constrain adherence to research integrity principles in global health research partnerships, specifically at a UK higher education institution (HEI) and its low-to-middle-income country (LMIC) partners.Methods Qualitative study using key informant interviews among researchers at a HEI and a number of its LMIC partners exploring their understanding of the principles of research integrity and experience of its implementation in relation to research.Results Thirteen interviews, five from HEI and eight from partner organisations, were conducted. Analysis found that understanding of research integrity focused on issues relating to rigour and did not include ‘care and respect’. Barriers to research integrity included, supra institutional factors such as funding flows, inequitable power relations, the competitive culture of the global health ecosystem and institutional psychosocial safety. Most respondents had direct or indirect knowledge of incidences of research misconduct.Conclusion Improved recognition of the importance of care and respect is key to improving the integrity of research conduct within global health partnerships.Data sharing not applicable due to the sensitivity of datasets generated and/or analysed for this study.