Research misconduct is defined as fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, or reviewing research, or in reporting research results.
Fabrication means making up data or results and recording or reporting them.
Falsification means 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 means the appropriation of another person’s ideas, processes, or results, or works without giving appropriate credit.
Research misconduct does not include honest error or differences of opinion.
Reporting Potential Research Misconduct
USU employees or students who learn of potential Research Misconduct are encouraged to submit a claim for appropriate review. Claims can be submitted through:
- USU’s Research Integrity and Compliance Office
- 435-797-0485
- compliance@usu.edu
- USU’s Ethics & Compliance Hotline
- A Dean, Director, or Department Head, who has a duty to pass the claim to the Research Integrity & Compliance Office
Research Misconduct Procedures
All Research Misconduct allegations will be reviewed pursuant to USU’s Research Misconduct Procedures. USU’s procedures comply with the regulatory standards established by the U.S. Public Health Services (42 C.F.R. Part 93) and the National Science Foundation (45 C.F.R. Part 689).
Related Policies
- Policy 583 - Research
- Policy 403 - Academic Freedom and Professional Responsibility
- Policy 407 - Academic Due Process: Sanctions & Hearing Procedures
- Policy 545 - Individual Conflicts of Interest
- Policy 584 - Protection of Human Participants in Research
- Policy 585 - Animal Care and Use
- Policy 377 - Consulting Service