Responsible science and research

Open science at the University of Vaasa

At the University of Vaasa, we comply with good scientific practice and Finnish law, as well as national and international recommendations concerning open science. The university will monitor and evaluate the level and development of open science.

Responsible open science is an essential part of our scientific activities. It encompasses scientific publications, research materials, research methods and research culture. Open science supports the dissemination and impact of scientific research within the scientific community and society at large.

Open publication of research results and materials increases the visibility and impact of research. References to publications and materials contribute to a researcher's academic merits. Opening up and communicating about the research process and methods enchances the credibility and visibility of the research. This visibility opens new opportunities for collaboration between researchers and for profiling the university.

The University of Vaasa's Open Science Implementation Plan complements the Open Science Policy and Principles document. The implementation plan includes practical guidelines for researchers concerning open science practices and identifies the parties responsible for various areas of open science. 

The principles of open science have been further specified in the principles of Open Education and Open Educational Resources and the University of Vaasa Data Policy, which were adopted during the summer of 2024 and are available to personnel on the intranet.

Good scientific practise and research ethics

The University of Vaasa is committed to The Finnish Code of Conduct for Research Integrity and Procedures for Handling Alleged Violations of Research Integrity in Finland (pdf) (the RI guidelines), published by the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity TENK, which is appointed by the Ministry of Education and Culture in Finland. These guidelines have been drafted in cooperation with the Finnish research community.

The objective is to promote the responsible conduct of research (in Finnish hyvä tieteellinen käytäntö) while ensuring that alleged violations are handled with competence, fairness and expediency.

The university is committed to following The ethical principles of the humanities, social sciences and behavioural sciences in all its operations.

The TENK website defines a researcher's professional skills as follows: "A researcher's professionalism can be divided into the management of the knowledge and research methods required by each discipline and professional integrity, which together constitute good scientific practice. The entire scientific community is responsible for following good scientific practices."

The University of Vaasa has also confirmed its own Ethical guidelines, which outline the goals and activities for an ethically sustainable study, research and administrative culture within the scientific community. An open learning area for research ethics is available to all the researchers at the University of Vaasa. Additionally, the Graduate School offers courses on research ethics as part of doctoral training.

For all scientific research projects or data collection targeting the University of Vaasa, you must apply for permission to carry out the research with this e-form. You need to attach the research plan that describes the intent of the research, methods and data management. This applies to researchers, teachers and students of the University of Vaasa. 

You must request permission before starting data collection. Certain research settings may require an ethical review, which must be completed before applying for the research permit. 

If your research involves private or personal information, you should include a privacy notice with the permission form. Researchers must follow general data protection regulations, laws and good scientific practice. 

Permits are granted by the vice rector of research.