Research misconduct means fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, or reviewing research, or in reporting research results.
Fabrication is making up data or results and recording or reporting them.
Falsification is manipulating research materials, equipment, or processes, or changing or omitting data or results such that the research is not accurately represented in the research record.
Plagiarism is the appropriation of another person's ideas, processes, results, or words without giving appropriate credit.
Research misconduct does not include honest error or differences of opinion.
The Director of the Office of Research, Grants and Sponsored Programs (DORGSP)) will serve as the RIO and will have primary responsibility for implementation of the institution’s policies and procedures on research misconduct. A detailed listing of the responsibilities of the RIO is set forth in Appendix A. These responsibilities include the following duties related to research misconduct proceedings:
Consult confidentially with persons uncertain about whether to submit an allegation of research misconduct, including referring or reviewing potential complaints;
Receive allegations of research misconduct;
Assess each allegation of research misconduct in accordance with Section V.A. of this policy to determine whether it falls within the definition of research misconduct and warrants an inquiry;
As necessary, take interim action and notify the Office of Research Integrity (ORI) of special circumstances, in accordance with Section IV.F. Of this policy;