Examining Research Ethics and Integrity at a Public University in Bolivia.

This study examined research ethics and integrity at a large public university in Bolivia by surveying professors, deans, and directors, and reviewing graduate student health research manuscripts involving human participants from 2010 to 2019. Findings revealed significant gaps in knowledge and implementation of research ethics, a lack of institutional research ethics committees (RECs), and minimal documentation of ethical practices such as informed consent and REC approval in student research. University leaders recognized challenges related to plagiarism and conflicts of interest but were largely unaware of the absence of formal policies and infrastructure to address these issues. The study highlights the need for comprehensive policies, capacity-building programs, and institutional frameworks to strengthen research ethics and integrity in Bolivian academic settings and similar low- and middle-income countries.