Research Misconduct
What is Research Misconduct?
The FAS Research Integrity Policy defines research misconduct as;
fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, or reviewing research, research training, or other activities relating to research or research training, or in reporting research results.
Research misconduct includes fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism.
- Fabrication: making up data or results and recording or reporting them.
- Falsification: 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: the appropriation of another person’s ideas, processes, results, or words without giving appropriate credit.
Research misconduct does not include honest error or differences of opinion.
A finding of Research Misconduct requires that;
- There be a significant departure from accepted practices of the relevant research community;
- The respondent committed the research misconduct intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly; and
- The allegation be proven by preponderance of the evidence.
Who is subject to the FAS Research Integrity Policy?
The FAS Research Integrity Policy applies to allegations of research misconduct involving any person who, at the time of the alleged research misconduct, was employed by, was an agent of, or was affiliated by contract or agreement with FAS, including without limitation officials, tenured and non-tenured faculty, teaching and support staff, researchers, research coordinators, technicians, post-doctoral and other fellows, students, volunteers, and agents. This Policy may be applied to any individual no longer affiliated with FAS if the alleged misconduct occurred while the person was employed by, an agent of, or affiliated with the University.
Responsibility to Report Suspected Research Misconduct
As part of our commitment to maintain the public’s trust in all research and scholarly activities and to preserve our high standards of scholarly integrity, all individuals subject to the FAS Research Integrity policy, including FAS faculty, staff, students, and administrators, are required to report observed, suspected, or apparent research misconduct.
If you have a concern regarding research misconduct pertaining to research conducted within the FAS/SEAS, contact the FAS Research Integrity Office at researchintegrity@fas.harvard.edu.
For concerns related to research conducted at other Harvard Schools, please contact the appropriate school level contact or OVPR.
You can also contact Harvard’s Anonymous Reporting Hotline by submitting a report online or calling 1-877-694-2ASK.
Questions about our policy or if you’re unsure if a suspected incident falls within the definition of research misconduct?
You may contact the FAS Research Integrity Office (researchintegrity@fas.harvard.edu) to discuss any suspected research misconduct informally, which may include discussing it anonymously and/or hypothetically. If the circumstances described by the individual do not meet the definition of research misconduct, then the FAS Research Integrity Office may refer the individual or allegation to other offices or officials, where appropriate.