Research Ethics at BI
Research ethics concerns ethical aspects of the research role and the research work. At BI knowledge about research ethics is introduced through courses, seminars and other information measures.
Each researcher and student has an independent responsibility for conducting research activities within the current ethical framework.
BI as an institution is responsible for the organization of ethical research choices, i.e. the research ethical infrastructure. It involves:
- Standards for good scientific practice, linked to the research's quest for precise, comprehensive and relevant knowledge such as academic freedom, openness and verifiability.
- Standards that regulate the research community, such as integrity, honesty, impartiality and criticism.
- The obligations of research to those involved in research, such as respect, human dignity, confidentiality, and free and informed consent.
- The relationship of research to the rest of society, such as independence, conflict of interest, social responsibility and research dissemination.
All research activities at BI Norwegian Business School are conducted in accordance with current scientific and ethical guidelines as formulated by the National Research Ethics Committee for Social Sciences and Humanities (NESH).
The heads of departments and deans are responsible for the organization and on going follow-up.
RESEARCH ETHICS COMMITTEE
BI's research ethics committee has an independent and self-reliant role. The committee's work increases the researchers' awareness of research ethics, and it gives advice to the management in concrete cases on research ethical issues and dilemmas.
The committee consists of:
- Professor Dag Michalsen UiO (Head of Committee)
- Professor Randi Lunnan, BI
- Associate Professor Eivind Furuseth, BI
The Research Administration Office acts as the secretary of the committee. The committee informs governing bodies, departments and employees at BI on research ethical issues and contributes to the inclusion of research ethical questions as part of the education.
It promotes proposals that increase awareness on scientific equity among researchers, graduates and students.
BI has developed procedures for processing suspicion of violation of research ethical guidelines. It is the committee that deals with and deliver statements on research ethics that arise from any conflicts or complaints.
ETHICS REVIEW BOARD
BI's Ethics Review Board (ERB) evaluates research projects before the projects start to make sure that they will be performed according to the Act on Ethics and Integrity in Research (Forskningsetikkloven), guidelines for ethical research at BI, and guidelines formulated by the Norwegian National Research Ethics Committees.
The Ethics Review Board consists of the following members:
Chair
For the spring 2024 semester, Associate Professor Erik Løhre is Chair of the ERB while Professor Suzanne van Gils is on sabbatical.
Members
- Professor Tom-Reiel Heggedal
- Associate Professor Klemens Knöferle
- For the year 2024, Associate Professor Even J. Lanseng, is replacing Associate Professor Matilda Dorotic while she is on sabbatical.
- Associate Professor Erik Løhre
- Associate Professor Alessandra Luzzi
Secretariat
The Research Administration Office acts as the secretary of the Ethics Review Board:
- Senior Data Analyst Ingrid H.G. Østensen
- Senior Advisor Sonja K. Kittelsen
BACHELOR, MASTER AND PHD STUDENTS
BI maintains its education and mentoring responsibilities towards the students through the following:
Training in the form of courses and guidance
- The library offers training in citing and referencing sources to students at all study levels.
- The library offers individual guidance in citing and referencing sources throughout the whole course of study.
- The supervisors are responsible for advising students on research ethical issues related to examination questions.
At the master's level we also carry out:
- Compulsory course in ethics: The course raises ethical issues more generally, but also more specific research ethical issues are addressed.
- Methodology course: Research ethical issues are addressed on the methodology course that is compulsory for each programme.
- "Thesis-seminars": Research ethical issues are addressed at seminars for and with master students.
For the PhD candidates we also carry out the following:
- Compulsory workshop and course in research ethics for all PhD students in Economics and Finance.
- Compulsory course in "Research design and Methodological Choices" for all PhD students in Strategy, Marketing, Organization and Management.
Controlling plagiarism
BI uses the Ouriginal plagiarism control system to check the examination and questions PhD dissertations for similarities in text.
Information to the candidates according to The Personal Data Act
Any electronic processing of personal data for research purposes (including student projects) is covered by the Personal Data Act and is mandatory to the Data Protection Officer for Research (NSD, Norwegian Center for Research Data). The supervisor is responsible for informing the candidates about the regulations.
EXECUTIVE STUDENTS
Most Executive programmes emphasize using the course participants' own practical experience as a source of learning. This has consequences for what data the Executive students collect for their examination questions.
BI sets the same requirements for research ethics and scientific methodology in the examination questions at the Executive level as in our other courses. Executive students often retrieve data from their own business and / or own use. In this context, the students receive guidance from teachers about the obligation to report in accordance with the Personal Data Act.
The examination questions are routinely checked for similarities in text through the Urkund program. The Executive students are also offered training in citing and referencing sources, as well as individual guidance.