Standards for Conduct of Research

2.3 Scientific Misconduct

All members of the University research community are expected to conduct and report their scholarly and scientific work with the highest standards of honesty, accuracy, integrity, and ethical conduct. The University has established formal policies and procedures -  consistent with federal regulations - to guide the review and resolution of allegations of research misconduct.

Scientific misconduct, as defined by federal regulation, includes:

• Fabrication - making up data or results and recording or reporting them;
• Falsification - manipulating research materials, equipment, processes, or data such that the research is not accurately represented;
• Plagiarism - appropriating another person's ideas, processes, results, or words without giving proper credit.

Research misconduct does not include honest error or differences of scientific judgment.

The University's research misconduct policy outlines the procedures for reporting, assessing, investigating, and adjudicating allegations of misconduct. Any individual who becomes aware of suspected research misconduct is expected to report concerns promptly.

Any concerns or suspected instances of research misconduct must be reported to the Research Integrity Officer (RIO), housed within the Office of Research Integrity and Compliance. The RIO is responsible for managing allegations, coordinating inquiries and investigations, and ensuring that all matters are handled confidentially and in accordance with University policy and federal requirements. 

Go to Section 2.4 >>

1. Standards of Business Conduct
   1. Federal Regulations
   2. Debarment and Suspension
   3. Lobbying
2. Openness in Research
3. Scientific Misconduct
4. Responsible Conduct in Research
   1. Mentorship/ Supervision
   2. Professional Conduct and Environment
5. Outside Interest and Employment
   1. Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Commitment