Proven Practices

Metrics Section

Metrics

Metrics are important to any program so that people involved in the program know the goals that are being worked toward and whether the program is successful or not. Some activities are easy to measure but some very important elements of research integrity programs cannot be measured. Therefore, goals should include measurable and non-measurable items that will enhance the research integrity program.

Proven Practices

Set goals with specific targets, regularly evaluate these goals to measure the effectiveness of the research integrity program

  • Send surveys to individuals who interact with the program to determine their level of satisfaction with services provided. Evaluate these surveys on a regular basis.
  • Track the number of questions asked of the research integrity program. This can help to measure how many people are being reached and how effective the program is.
  • Track numbers of applications received (IRB, IACUC, etc.), number of instances of noncompliance reported and investigated, and other similar items. Evaluate these numbers regularly.
  • Send broader surveys asking questions about institutional climate for research integrity.

Set training goals (# of trainees included, types of training offered) and regularly evaluate these training goals

Compare staffing levels against those at other similar institutions to ensure appropriate levels of staffing for the research integrity program. Evaluate staff salaries against those of similar institutions. Professional associations publish these numbers

Set goals that are qualitative such as tone and messaging from Institutional Leadership about research integrity issues