Conflict of Interest

In the area of research, conflict of interest usually involves researchers being in a position to personally benefit from particular information generated in the research or personally benefiting directly or indirectly as a consequence of engaging in the research. Typically, though not exclusively, conflict of interest involves financial gain for oneself, one’s family or friends, or one’s business associates. The information of typical concern is what one learns about the opportunity for personal gain that is incidental to the declared purpose of the research and that may undermine the confidentiality assurances or understandings that the research engenders.

The Singapore Statement on Research Integrity, developed in 2002 at the Second World Congress on Research Integrity, gives a succinct definition and directive on conflict of interest as part ...