Guiding Principles

We investigate causes of health problems and develop new concepts for disease prevention in interdisciplinary teams of researchers and technical staff whose expertise covers a broad spectrum of disciplines and methodologies from medicine, the natural sciences as well as the humanities. During the course of our work, we are committed to adhering to good scientific practice1. A special challenge is dealing with issues of conflicts of interest. To this end, BIPS has developed basic principles which are documented in a Policy-Statement.

We share the core values of the Leibniz Association (in German only) for research and education, social responsibility, equal rights for women and men, diversity, career development, work life balance, and a critical awareness for resources, and would like to contribute to their development and sustainability. To us, etiological and prevention research are integral parts of public health with clear associations to political and social matters. We are aware of the methodological and ethical obligations which result from our comprehensive understanding of public health. We assume this responsibility in dealing each other and in dealing with collaboration partners, students, and all those people who are involved in our studies and projects. Our communications and dealings are open and characterized by respect, acceptance, and integration.

Data protection is of paramount importance for research done at BIPS in the numerous studies we conduct with participants from the general population. To this end, a framework for a data protection concept for BIPS was drawn in consultation with our operational data protection officer, the company "datenschutz nord GmbH". The framework dictates the basis for secure data management and data processing in the institute. In addition, "datenschutz nord GmbH" provides us with professional advice in all issues concerning data protection and controls data protection concepts for individual projects. The Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information of the Federal State of Bremen monitors the adherence to the data protection concepts. Furthermore, we consult the Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information of the Federal State of Bremen as well as the Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (BfDI) in cases of important issues.

1  For Example: “Guidelines for Safeguarding Good Research Practice - Code of Conduct” from the German Research Foundation (DFG), “Guidelines and Recommendations for Ensuring Good Epidemiological Practice (GEP)” from the German Society for Epidemiology (DGEpi), “Good Practice in Secondary Data Analysis” (GPS) (updated version available in German only), and “Guidelines for Good Pharmacoepidemiology Practices” (GPP) from the International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology (ISPE).