Commission for Safeguarding Good Scientific Practice

What are the tasks of the Commission for Safeguarding Good Scientific Practice?

If necessary, suspected cases of scientific misconduct are forwarded by the ombudspersons of Saarland University to the Commission for Safeguarding Good Scientific Practice for further investigation - while maintaining strict confidentiality to protect the whistleblower and the persons concerned. An anonymous report will also be considered in a procedure, provided that the anonymous whistleblower presents reliable and sufficiently concrete facts.

How does the examination procedure operate?

If a preliminary examination substantiates the suspicion of scientific misconduct, a formal investigation procedure is opened by the Standing Commission. The Commission consults in a non-public, oral hearing and examines whether scientific misconduct has been committed by independently assessing the evidence.

Thereafter, the procedure can move forward in two directions: On the one hand, the procedure can be terminated if the Commission considers misconduct to be unverified. On the other hand, if the Commission deems misconduct to be substantiated, a suggestion for a decision can be drafted for the university's executive board. The suggested decision describes the specific misconduct and contains proposals to the university's executive board concerning the possible consequences under academic, labour or civil service law, disciplinary law, civil law or criminal law - depending on the severity of the misconduct.