In general, the LARI’s Commission for Research Integrity (CRI) aims to complete an investigation of a research misconduct allegation within a timeframe of five months from the launch of the investigation, unless legal obligations require otherwise (this might be the case for allegations related to plagiarism if they are reported through channels to ensure compliance with whistleblower legislation). The CRI aims to decide whether to launch an investigation within a timeframe of a maximum of 30 business days from receiving the allegation. Usually, decisions are made a lot more quickly, though. In exceptional cases (e.g., because of insufficient information to assess the credibility of an allegation or insufficient information to assess whether an allegation falls into the CRI’s remit and scope), the decision might take more time. Cases encompassing allegations which must be investigated according to a legally specified timeframe as well as allegations where no such legal obligation applies, may be split up into two investigations.
However, experience (from LARI as well as many other research integrity offices from other countries) has shown that some cases are very complex and require the analysis of large amounts of evidence or extensive consultation with the stakeholders of the case. Such cases may require significant more time to complete. If the duration of an investigation exceeds five months or a pertinent legally specified timeframe, the Secretary-General of LARI updates, on a monthly basis, the stakeholders of the case the case in the way specified in Article 9.8 of the Rules of Procedure for the National Commission for Research Integrity.
