Enhancing Scientific Integrity: Progress and Opportunities in the Social and Behavioral Sciences

The National Academies are convening a two-day hybrid workshop bringing together researchers, journal editors, publishers, funders, and scientific association leaders to examine approaches for strengthening transparency and accountability in research practices. Participants will consider how the social and behavioral sciences can build on existing efforts to advance data integrity while drawing on methods and frameworks from other disciplines.

Discussions will explore strategies to detect and address errors in published research, including the potential role of systematic audits and emerging tools. The workshop will also examine how journals, institutions, and professional societies can refine policies and governance structures to support rigorous, transparent, and accessible research practices across diverse contexts.

The workshop will focus on identifying proactive, constructive strategies to enhance transparency and accountability in research practices. Key questions to be addressed include:

• How can the social and behavioral sciences continue to lead the way in advancing data integrity? What successful methods or frameworks from other disciplines might be adapted to strengthen these efforts?

• Could systematic, random audits of published data help detect and correct honest mistakes while discouraging malfeasance? What governance structures would ensure such efforts are fair, sustainable, and constructive? What new tools might facilitate this process?

• How can scientific journals refine their policies (e.g., review processes, data validation) to support transparency and integrity while maintaining accessibility for researchers across diverse contexts?

• What strategies can be employed to ensure potential solutions avoid placing undue burdens on researchers, especially those at institutions with limited resources?

The event takes place April 23 and 24. On Thursday, April 23, it runs from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. ET. On Friday, April 24, it runs from 9 a.m. to 5:25 p.m. ET.

View the agenda now.