Policies & Compliance
- Research Conduct
- Research Security
- 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 expects professional standards be applied in the conduct of scientific inquiry. While professional standards may vary across fields, the University has developed a set of guiding principles and policies that are applicable to all research and scholarly activity. In addition, several University policies, such as those on academic fraud or conflict of interest, address aspects of responsible conduct in research. In general terms, investigators should behave appropriately with respect to other investigators, colleagues, mentors, students, trainees, and research subjects; follow established procedures in planning and carrying out investigations, handling data, preserving research materials and publishing results; and comply with all the laws and regulations governing their activities.
2.4.1 Mentorship/Supervision
Research mentors and their trainees require frequent interactions to assure optimal conduct of research. At least one senior faculty should supervise all individuals in a lab who are not independent investigators. Mentors should commit themselves to spend the time required for adequate supervision. Moreover, the ratio of trainees to mentors should be small enough to encourage close and frequent interactions concerning all aspects of research undertaken by a trainee or junior investigator, including the planning and design, data interpretation and preparation of reports. Trainees have the right and responsibility to be adequately supervised during their research training and that the research itself is performed in a manner which reflects high standards for the responsible conduct of science.
Chapter II – Section C.2d(i), Project Description, of the National Science Foundation Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide dated January 5, 2009 has new requirements regarding mentoring activities. It states that “Each proposal that requests funding to support postdoctoral research must include, as a separate section within the 15 page project description, a description of the mentoring activities that will be provided for such individuals.
