Chapter 24. Research and Other Sponsored Programs

24.4. Scientific Misconduct

Scientific Misconduct: Conduct inconsistent with the ethical conduct of research and which includes:

1. Serious deviation from commonly accepted practices in the scientific community in proposing, conducting, or reporting research such as fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, deception, misrepresentation or arbitrary selection of data;



2. Plagiarism or other appropriation of the work of another individual and presenting it as if it were one’s own or without credit to the originator as is required by commonly accepted practices in the scientific community;



3. Material failure to comply with funding agenda (federal, state, or private, etc.) requirements that uniquely relate to the conduct of the research; and



4. Retaliation against a person who, acting in good faith, has reported or provided information about suspected or alleged misconduct.

Refer to the Faculty Handbook Web site to view the 3.3.5 Scientific Misconduct Policy, Appendix F in its entirety.

If scientific misconduct by someone is suspected, do the following:

1. Charges of scientific misconduct within the academic areas should be brought to the dean of the college or school in which such conduct allegedly occurred. Charges of scientific misconduct within the non-academic areas should be brought to the director of the unit in which such conduct allegedly occurred.


NOTE: The dean or director shall inform the vice president for research, who shall inform the provost and senior vice president for academic and student affairs. Allegations of scientific misconduct brought to other University officials in positions of authority shall be transmitted to the vice president for research. If, at any time, charges of alleged misconduct involve a University official responsible for administering this policy, the situation shall be reported to the president of the University. The president shall then designate another individual to fulfill the responsibilities of that official under this policy.