Science is (good) science then and only then, when it follows certain principles and values. These concepts and ideas must be recognized and observed by all participants, institutions and organizations in the entire scientific process. The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation, DFG) emphasizes the importantce of these principles in their Guidelines for Safeguarding Good Research Practice (2019).

Safeguarding good scientific practice is the task of the research institutions and their researchers. The institutions define and explicate their concepts of GSP in their guidelines, by-laws or statutes. All members of the institution are obligated to comply with these regulations.

Good scientific practice is the basis for all scientists' trustworthiness, and also the foundation of the general public's trust into science.