Scientific Integrity, Research and Medical Ethics Challenged by the Covid-19 Crisis – CovETHOS

CovETHOS studies the impact of the exceptional situation generated by the Covid-19 pandemic on scientific integrity, medical and research ethics. It associates researchers, physicians, officers of the national network of scientific integrity (RESINT) and members of the French Advisory Board For Research Integrity (CoFIS) in an original action-research programme. CovETHOS is an urgent matter as it must be conducted while the scientists and physicians studied still have the feeling of participating in a “science in the making” defined by a high level of uncertainty. The project aims to produce, in collaboration with field actors, especially with research integrity officers, a set of resources (scripts, base, guide) useful to enrich training sessions. CovETHOS also produces a set of innovative knowledge on (1) the modalities and reasons for Covid-19 retracted papers, (2) the scientists and physicians’ perceptions and attitudes as well as (3) the tensions and normative adaptations triggered by the global health emergency. The project uses various survey methods: extraction and follow-up of covid-19 retracted papers and online discussions ; organization, recording and analysis of 6 focus groups ; online administration of a questionnaire centered on the impact of the crisis on the production and exploitation of scientific data, the rules of science and medical practice, the ordinary life with colleagues, the pressures exerted on knowledge and health care and the scientists’ communication towards general public and public authorities. CovETHOS integrates from the outset the issue of dissemination of its findings on different levels: scientific publications and scientific talks in international conferences, dedicated resources for research integrity officers (scripts, base, guide), series of conferences in cultural centers in order to highlight the stakes of scientific integrity, medical and research ethics for the general public.