The Office of Research Integrity and Security supports Augusta University’s process for reviewing and addressing allegations of research misconduct.
Augusta University is committed to fostering an environment that promotes research integrity, responsible conduct of research, honesty, rigor, and transparency.
Research misconduct can compromise the integrity of the research record, undermine public trust, affect the rights and responsibilities of researchers and collaborators, and impact the responsible stewardship of public funds. ORIS supports institutional processes that address allegations promptly, thoroughly, objectively, and fairly in accordance with applicable federal regulations and university policy.
What Is Research Misconduct?
Research misconduct generally means fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, reviewing, or reporting research.
Research misconduct does not include honest error, differences of opinion, self-plagiarism, or authorship and credit disputes that do not involve plagiarism. Other concerns may be reviewed through different institutional processes depending on the nature of the issue.
Research Misconduct
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Altering, omitting, or manipulating research data, materials, equipment, or processes in a way that misrepresents the research
Using another person’s ideas, processes, results, or words without appropriate credit
Reporting a Concern
Individuals who have concerns about possible research misconduct are encouraged to report the concern promptly. Reports should include as much specific information as possible, such as the nature of the concern, the research involved, individuals or records relevant to the concern, and any supporting documentation.
Augusta University supports good-faith efforts to report suspected research misconduct and takes reasonable steps to protect individuals who report concerns or participate in the review process from retaliation.
Review Process
Allegations of research misconduct are reviewed in accordance with applicable federal requirements and Augusta University policy. The process may include an initial assessment, inquiry, investigation, findings, institutional actions, and required sponsor or federal reporting when applicable.
The specific process depends on the nature of the allegation, the research involved, and applicable regulatory or sponsor requirements. The Research Integrity Officer is responsible for administering Augusta University’s written policies and procedures for addressing allegations of research misconduct.
Confidentiality, Fairness, and Accountability
Research misconduct matters are handled with appropriate discretion and confidentiality to the extent possible. Augusta University seeks to conduct research misconduct proceedings in a thorough, competent, objective, and fair manner.
The university also takes reasonable steps to protect the positions and reputations of good-faith complainants, witnesses, committee members, and respondents against whom no finding of research misconduct is made.