Policies & Compliance
- Research Conduct
- Combatting Human Trafficking
- Federal Disclosure Requirements
- Research Handbook
- 1. Roles & Responsibilities
- 2. Standards for Conduct of Research
- 3. Overview of Sponsored Projects Administration
- 4. Funding Sources & Opportunities
- 5. Proposal Development
- 6. Budget Development
- 7. Procedures for the Submission of Proposals
- 8. Award Acceptance
- 9. Award Management
- 10. Research Related Regulations, Policies & Procedures
- 11. Other Conduct of Research Issues
- 12. Acronyms & Definitions
- 13. Glossary
- Procedure Library
- Regulations Library
Standards for Conduct of Research
2.4 Responsible Conduct in Research
The University is committed to fostering a research environment grounded in honesty, rigor, transparency, and respect. All individuals engaged in research - faculty, trainees, staff, and students - are expected to uphold the highest standards of professional conduct in the planning, performance, review, and reporting of research activities.
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) includes adherence to ethical and professional norms, compliance with regulatory requirements, and respect for the rights and contributions of colleagues, collaborators, mentors, mentees, research participants, and the broader scientific community.
Investigators must:
- Treat peers, students, trainees, collaborators, and research subjects with fairness, professionalism, and respect;
- Follow established procedures when designing and conducting research, maintaining data, preserving research materials, and publishing or disseminating findings;
- Comply with all applicable University policies, sponsor requirements, and federal, state, and local laws;
- Demonstrate accountability and stewardship in the use of research resources;
- Promote a culture of integrity, safety, and ethical behavior within their research teams.
University policies related to research misconduct, conflict of interest, intellectual property, data management, human subjects, animal care, biosafety, and research security constitute key components of responsible conduct in research.
2.4.1 Mentorship/Supervision
Effective mentorship is essential to responsible research practices. Research mentors play a critical role in training the next generation of investigators and must ensure that students, trainees, and junior researchers receive appropriate guidance, oversight, and support.
The University expects that:
- Individuals who are not independent investigators are supervised by at least one qualified senior faculty member;
- Mentors devote the time and attention necessary to provide meaningful and consistent supervision;
- The ratio of trainees to mentors supports frequent interaction, discussion, and review of research progress;
- Trainees receive guidance in research design, data management, analysis, responsible authorship, and the ethical conduct of research;
- Research activities conducted by trainees reflect the highest standards of scientific integrity.
Trainees have both the right and responsibility to adequate supervision and to conduct their research according to ethical, professional, and regulatory standards.
Note: Under current National Science Foundation policy (effective May 20, 2024), all NSF proposals that request support for postdoctoral researchers or graduate students must include a one-page mentoring plan describing the mentoring and professional development activities that will be provided. Each postdoctoral researcher or graduate student receiving substantial support (at least one person-month per year) must also have an Individual Development Plan (IDP) that is updated annually.
Other federal agencies - including NIH, DoD, USDA, DOE, and NASA - may require mentoring or career development plans for specific fellowship, training, or career-development programs, but they do not require a project-wide mentoring plan in the same manner as NSF.
2.4.2 Professional Conduct and Research Environment
The University expects all individuals engaged in research to maintain a professional, respectful, and safe working environment. Unprofessional conduct - including bullying, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, or creating a hostile research environment - is inconsistent with the standards of responsible research and undermines the integrity of the research enterprise.
Concerns related to unprofessional conduct may be reported to the Research Integrity Officer (RIO) within the Office of Research Integrity & Compliance, which has responsibility for addressing both research misconduct and unprofessional behavior within research settings. Learn more here.
Researchers, mentors, and trainees share responsibility for cultivating an environment that support ethical behavior, open communication, and mutual respect, consistent with University policy.
