Guidelines for social psychological research

The KLI subscribes to the guidelines for ethical conduct of the American Psychological Association (APA). In addition, the KLI defined its own specific guidelines for research in social psychology (2012). You can read the  full document, with guidelines and a checklist. In summary, the central aims of multiple Dutch research groups are stated as follows:

1) Preparation. Scientific research benefits from careful preparation and is part of a collaborative effort in which researchers consult each other.
2) Interaction with research participants. Individuals who participate in scientific research should be treated with care and respect. Information obtained from them is handled confidentially.
3) Data collection. Scientific research must be open to replication. Relevant procedures (treatment of participants, data preparation and –analysis) should be carefully documented.
4) Analysis and storage of data. Conclusions from research data must be open to verification. Research groups need to install provisions to ensure long term availability of research materials and data for this purpose.
5) Reporting. Written reports should clearly indicate which steps in the research and data analyses have yielded specific conclusions. It is recommended that this includes an explicit statement indicating the specific responsibilities of each of the researchers involved in the study.

Earlier events have raised the question whether additional measures can be taken to protect the quality of scientific research. Relevant documents (partly in Dutch) and contributions of KLI members to this discussion can be found through the following links:
Zorgvuldig en integer omgaan met wetenschappelijke onderzoeksgegevens – Advies van de KNAW – Commissie Onderzoeksgegevens onder voorzitterschap van prof.dr. C.J.M. Schuyt (2012).
Reactie rapport Commissie Schuyt – De Dreu, C. (2012).
Sharpening Scientific Policy After Stapel – Van Lange, P.A.M., Buunk, A.P., Ellemers, N., & Wigboldus, D.H.J. (2012).
Hoe nu verder? De Sociale Psychologie na de affaire Stapel – Opinie: Hoogleraar Naomi Ellemers, in: Mare, Leids Universitair Weekblad, 13 dec 2012
Scientific Misconduct and the Myth of Self-Correction in Science – Stroebe, W., Postmes, T., & Spears, R. (2012).