Enhancing Research Quality and Integrity for Van Lang University Students

On May 30, 2025, the Office of Research Compliance, in collaboration with the Student Success Center of Van Lang University, organized a program titled “Student Scientific Research and the Issue of Research Integrity”, attracting a large number of participating students.

In recent times, student scientific research at Van Lang University has seen notable progress, developing both in quantity and quality. Students of Van Lang University are gradually establishing their presence in academic forums and scientific conferences with creative and highly practical ideas. As a result, the Office of Research Integrity has focused on studying supportive policies, developing research skills, and equipping students with essential knowledge on research integrity to improve the quality of research projects and contribute to the sustainable development of academic activities in general, and specifically at Van Lang University.

During the workshop, Dr. Le Van Ut, Director of the Office of Research Compliance, emphasized the role of scientific research in the university environment. Scientific research offers students valuable opportunities for career advancement, fosters innovation and creativity, and helps develop essential skills such as teamwork and leadership, etc. However, to achieve this, researchers must maintain research integrity. 

Based on the definition that “research integrity refers to honesty, accuracy of information, and transparency in conducting scientific research”, Dr. Le Van Ut pointed out the three most common types of violations: fraud, fabrication, and plagiarism. “Plagiarism does not only occur between different authors, but it can also happen when the same author reuses their previous research results in other studies without citation, or publishes them as new work”, he stressed. To avoid such errors, students should actively manage their references and fully cite all used materials, especially foreign-language sources, to prevent being accused of plagiarism.

According to Dr. Ut, a study by the U.S. Office of Research Integrity found that 33% of researchers had violated research integrity within their field. Meanwhile, data from the Web of Science (USA) show that, from 1990 to the present, nearly 66,000 research papers have been retracted due to research integrity violations. This presents a major challenge in ensuring research integrity and has serious consequences for the individuals involved. 

By analyzing real-life cases, Dr. Le Van Ut advised students to be cautious throughout the research process, especially regarding the use of AI tools without citing sources or manipulating research results. If such actions are detected, the researcher risks losing credibility and benefits within the academic community, directly affecting their future job and higher education opportunities.

At the workshop, Van Lang University students asked practical questions related to conducting scientific research, maintaining research integrity, and the policies that support student research projects. In response, Dr. Le Van Ut shared that the Office of Research Compliance is currently developing new models: the Student Scientific Research Development Taskforce and the Student Research Integrity Taskforce to better support student needs. In addition, the Office is proposing financial support mechanisms and capacity-building initiatives through seminars and workshops specifically tailored for the Van Lang University student community. 

News: Thanh Phuc
Photos: Le Hoang