Overview of Research Misconduct and How to Report it
Ï㽶´«Ã½ Institute of Technology's Research Integrity Officer (RIO), Jeff Terry, manages reports of potential research misconduct carried out by any Ï㽶´«Ã½ faculty, students, or staff.
Although anyone internal or external to Ï㽶´«Ã½ can report such misconduct, all Ï㽶´«Ã½ associates (e.g., students, staff, post-docs, visiting scholars, faculty) must report an observation of potential research misconduct. A report of potential research misconduct can be submitted via any means of communication to Ï㽶´«Ã½'s RIO; to the Ï㽶´«Ã½ Provost; or via EthicsPoint, which is a phone- and Internet-based reporting system designed to promote ethical behavior in the workplace.
What is Research Misconduct?
Ï㽶´«Ã½ Institute of Technology's defines research misconduct as:
- Plagiarism: the appropriation of another person's ideas, processes, results or words without giving appropriate credit.
- Falsification: manipulating research materials, equipment or processes or changing or omitting data or results such that research is not accurately represented in the research record.
- Fabrication: making up data or results and recording or reporting them.
Procedure for Reviewing Allegations of Research Misconduct
Ï㽶´«Ã½ Institute of Technology Policy on the Review of Alleged Research Misconduct establishes a three-phase review process: allegation, inquiry and investigation. Please refer to the for full details.
Although there may be other types of questionable or inappropriate research-related behaviors, Ï㽶´«Ã½'s Research Integrity Officer only processes allegations of plagiarism, falsification, or fabrication. For example, disputes about authorship or research credit, or relational disputes between co-authors, do not fall within the scope of Ï㽶´«Ã½'s Policy on Review of Alleged Research Misconduct. Grievances and disputes not falling within the definitions of plagiarism, falsification, or fabrication may be brought to other offices at Ï㽶´«Ã½, such as: