Transparency in research

Research plays a fundamental role in human progress. It adds to our store of knowledge and advances human health, prosperity, and security as well as protection of the environment. A key prerequisite for this is freedom of research, which is specifically protected by Article 5(3) of Germany’s Basic Law. At the same time, in almost all areas of science and academia, there is a risk that important and useful research findings could be subverted and used to cause harm. Research therefore requires transparency, free exchange of information, and the publication and discussion of research findings.