UTHSCH strives to create a research environment that supports investigators’ abilities to productively and creatively pursue research goals while also maintaining high ethical standards in their research conduct. Dishonesty, fraud, and research misconduct in research damage the reputations and credibility of investigators, institutions, and the scientific community at large, and are not tolerated by UTHSCH.
The institution treats any allegations of dishonesty, misconduct, or fraud in research seriously, and they are evaluated promptly with due regard for the reputation and rights of all individuals involved. It is expected that complainants who make allegations of research misconduct are acting in good faith, and they will be protected from retaliation in accordance with federal requirements.
UTHSC-H’s policy for assessing allegations of scientific misconduct (HOOP 23.04) follows the PHS definitions and requirements. Research misconduct is defined as fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, or reviewing research, or in reporting research results.
Research misconduct does not include differences of opinion
(42 CFR 93 (103) PHS Policies on Research Misconduct).
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.
When the institution receives an allegation of research misconduct, it conducts an initial inquiry to determine if the evidence of misconduct is sufficient to proceed with a full investigation. If there is sufficient evidence of misconduct, a full investigation is initiated to evaluate evidence, and assess responsibility and the seriousness of the misconduct. In conducting the inquiry and investigation, the institution makes every effort to ensure that: persons involved in the evaluation of the allegations and evidence have appropriate expertise; no person involved in the procedures is biased against the accused person(s) or has a conflict of interest; and affected individuals receive confidential treatment to the maximum extent possible.
If it is determined that dishonesty, misconduct or fraud has occurred in research, the institution will provide research sponsors relevant information of the findings and penalties, and journal editors must also be notified if necessary. In misconduct cases involving PHS-funded research, UTHSCH is obligated to keep the Office of Research Integrity appropriately informed and to protect federal funds.
