Research integrity is fundamental to the validity and reliability of scientific findings, and for ethical conduct of research. As part of PRINTEGER (Promoting Integrity as an Integral Dimension of Excellence in Research), this study explores the views of researchers, research managers, administrators, and governance advisors in Estonia, Italy, Norway and UK, focusing specifically on their understanding of institutional and organisational influences on research integrity.

A total of 16 focus groups were conducted. Thematic analysis of the data revealed that competition is pervasive and appeared in most themes relating to integrity. The structural frameworks for research such as funding, evaluation and publication were thought to both protect and, more commonly, undermine integrity. In addition, institutional systems, including workload and research governance, shaped participants’ day-to-day work environment, also affecting research integrity. Participants also provided ideas for promoting research integrity, including training, and creating conditions that would be supportive of research integrity.

These findings support a shift away from individual blame and towards the need for structural and institutional changes, including organisations in the wider research environment, for example funding bodies and publishing companies.

研究诚信是科学发现的有效性和可靠性以及研究的道德行为的基础。作为 PRINTEGER（促进诚信作为卓越研究的一个整体维度）的一部分，本研究探讨了爱沙尼亚、意大利、挪威和英国的研究人员、研究经理、行政人员和治理顾问的观点，特别关注他们对制度和组织对科研诚信的影响。

总共进行了 16 个焦点小组。对数据的主题分析表明，竞争无处不在，并且出现在与诚信相关的大多数主题中。研究的结构框架，如资助、评估和出版，被认为既保护了完整性，更常见的是破坏了完整性。此外，制度体系，包括工作量和研究治理，塑造了参与者的日常工作环境，也影响了研究诚信。与会者还提供了促进科研诚信的想法，包括培训和创造支持科研诚信的条件。

这些发现支持从个人指责转向结构和制度变革的需要，包括更广泛研究环境中的组织，例如资助机构和出版公司。