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Principles for responsible research dissemination

The principles for responsible research dissemination are a set of guidelines that apply to media coverage in connection with the publication of new research results.

The principles are based on the national principles for responsible research practice, which are described in the Danish Code of Conduct for
Research Integrity (in Danish and English), particularly in Chapter 3 on publication and communication. The guidelines are advisory and are used by the communication departments at Health Sciences at SDU, Odense University Hospital, the Region of Southern Denmark and collaborating hospitals in connection with the dissemination of new research results.

The Danish universities have developed seven principles of responsible research communication. As a researcher, you will receive good advice on how to generally communicate your research to the surrounding society.

Three guiding principles for responsible research dissemination

1. Credibility

  • The communication departments at Health Sciences at SDU, the Region of Southern Denmark and the collaborating hospitals only contribute to media coverage of new health science research results if they are based on a scientific article accepted in a peer-reviewed journal, accepted abstracts, or if the results have been published in a report prepared in connection with public sector services.
  • The media coverage will not be published until the scientific article or report is published.
  • Especially for PhD students, research-year students, etc.: the media coverage must also be agreed with the principal supervisor.

2. Transparency

All media coverage of new research results from Health Sciences at SDU should include the following:

  • Name and contact details of the researcher(s) who can by contacted by the press
  • Link to abstract or the scientific article on which the media coverage is based
  • Facts about external partners (in the case of several: only the most important partners are mentioned)
  • Facts about external funding (in the case of several sources: only the largest grant providers are mentioned)
  • Information on possible conflicts of interest or deviation from the general principles for responsible research dissemination
  • Byline with a link to the contact details of the communications officer who authored the press release.

3. Dialogue and feedback

Dialogue and openness before, during and after the media coverage is an integral part of the collaboration between the communications officer and the responsible researcher.

The communications officer:

  • Before: Advises and informs about the process and terms for media contact
  • During: Delivers a media plan that, following substantial assessment, contains information such as core messages, media choices or solo story, time of publication, international media coverage, reporting, etc.
  • After: Provides evaluation and follow-up on the outcome of the media action when this is requested.

Before you disseminate your research

Be absolutely sure what your message is and why you want to have it published. And clarify who the recipient of the message is:

  • Is the message worded so clearly and unambiguously that you and the recipient decode the message in the same way?
  • Write down 3–4 key sentences that contain your messages.

If the news has potential impact on patient treatment or behaviour, you should contact the appropriate authorities or scientific societies to discuss the implications of publishing the results. The communication of risks requires special attention.
PhD courses in research dissemination will be offered at SUND.


As an employee, if you are in doubt about who you should get hold of if you have a news item or good story, read more on SDUnet.

Code of conduct for research dissemination

The Danish universities have developed seven principles for responsible research communication. The principles are based on the Danish Code of Conduct for Research Integrity, which has been adopted by all Danish universities.

Last Updated 28.06.2024