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Objectivity

Netspar plays a role in fostering a pension debate that is based on scientific research. Objectivity is therefore the guiding principle in everything we do.

Netspar ensures its objectivity by means of the following instruments.

Netherlands Code of Conduct for Research Integrity

Netspar brings together a great many partners from the scientific and professional worlds. While this is one of our strengths, it is also a point of potential concern. Netspar does not represent any special interests, but wants instead to contribute objectively to the pension debate.

To guarantee our objectivity, we adhere to the Netherlands Code of Conduct for Research Integrity. This code of conduct has been in force since October 1, 2018, and outlines five principles and 61 standards for honest and verifiable research.

The five principles in the code of conduct are:

  • Honesty
  • Scrupulousness
  • Transparency
  • Independence
  • Responsibility

Every university in the Netherlands has subscribed to this code of conduct and has a designated confidential research integrity compliance officer. Anyone suspecting a violation of the code of conduct can report it to the compliance officer.

Advisory Bodies

Netspar has two advisory bodies that assess the scientific quality and objectivity of its research both before it is authorized and after it is completed.

Scientific Council

Research proposals are evaluated by Netspar’s Scientific Council. This is an independent council comprised of prominent international scientists.

Editorial Board

In cases where a research project leads to an industry-specific paper, the Editorial Board of Netspar checks the paper’s scientific quality, objectivity, and accessibility for pension, retirement, and insurance professionals, whereby at least one scientist reviews the paper.

Procedures

Netspar has a variety of additional checks and balances built into its procedures to ensure its objectivity and the quality of its research. These include the following measures:

  • Our partners from the pension, retirement, and insurance industry have a hand in prioritizing research topics, whereby they help determine which research questions are important. Partners do not have any say in the research methodologies used or the results to be published. Those are both up to the researcher to decide.
  • We hold researchers working on behalf of Netspar responsible for the research quality, research methodology, and results.
  • All research results are made available to everyone free of charge.
  • Senior researchers are not dependent on the funding they receive from Netspar.

Finally, we draw attention to a wide range of academically based visions in our research and publications, as well as at our events and in our education programs.