Research Integrity: Difference between revisions

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== Basis for Policy ==

The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) is committed to maintaining an academic environment based on honesty, integrity and ethical conduct. UNMC promotes an environment of productivity, creativity, and academic freedom, while establishing firm expectations that individuals will not knowingly, intentionally or recklessly commit misconduct.

UNMC is responsible for the inquiry, investigation and adjudication of alleged research misconduct. As a recipient of federal research funds, UNMC must comply with federal policies and regulations on responding to allegations of research misconduct including:     

== Scope ==

This policy applies to all individuals at UNMC engaged in research, including non-funded projects, projects supported by the Public Health Service (PHS), the National Science Foundation (NSF), other governmental entities and private funding sources. This policy applies to any person paid by, under the control of, or affiliated with UNMC, such as scientists, trainees, technicians, and other staff members, students, fellows, guest researchers and collaborators.

== Applicability ==

This policy applies only to misconduct involving research. Non-research related misconduct that involves fraud, plagiarism, fabrication or other types of misconduct shall be addressed through procedures outlined in the UNMC Faculty, Graduate Student, and Student handbooks.

== Definitions ==

''Allegation'' means any written or oral statement or other indication of possible research misconduct made to an institutional official.

''Whistleblower'' means a person who makes an allegation of research misconduct.

== Responsibility for Implementation ==

The Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs is responsible for assuring compliance with federal, state and university policies and procedures governing the responsible and ethical conduct of research. The Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs delegates responsibility for responding to allegations of research misconduct to the Research Integrity Officer, who shall be responsible for carrying out inquiries and investigations that thoroughly evaluate the facts while protecting the rights of the parties involved in the alleged misconduct.

== Procedures ==

#'''Reporting Misconduct'''

#*'''Initial Report'''. All employees, students or other individuals associated with UNMC should report observed, suspected, or apparent research misconduct to the Research Integrity Officer at 559-6767 or to the UNMC Compliance Hotline at 1-866-568-5430. If an individual is unsure whether the suspected incident falls within the definition of research misconduct, s/he may call the Research Integrity Officer to discuss the suspected misconduct informally. Such discussions shall be confidential. If the circumstances do not meet the definition of research misconduct, the Research Integrity Officer will refer the individual or allegation to other offices with responsibility for resolving the problem.

#'''Record Retention'''

The Research Integrity Officer is delegated responsibility for preparing and maintaining all documentation gathered or generated during an inquiry and investigation. All records shall be maintained in a secure manner for at least seven years after completion of the UNMC case. Federal funding and oversight agencies will be given access to the records upon request.

This page maintained by [mailto:dpanowic@unmc.edu dkp].