Research Integrity

The University of Toledo’s mission to improve the human condition depends on a strong foundation of integrity, accountability, and public trust. As a public research university, UToledo is committed to the highest standards of excellence in research, scholarship, and creative activity. Every member of the university community shares responsibility for fostering an ethical research environment and ensuring that scholarly work is conducted honestly, transparently, and responsibly.

Research misconduct undermines the integrity of the research enterprise and public confidence in scholarly work. Federal regulations define research misconduct as fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, reviewing, or reporting research or scholarship. UToledo is committed to preventing misconduct, promoting responsible conduct of research, and addressing allegations promptly, fairly, and in accordance with applicable policies and regulations.

Policies

Research Misconduct Definitions

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: appropriating another person’s ideas, processes, results, or words without giving appropriate credit. Plagiarism includes both the theft or misappropriation of intellectual property and the substantial unattributed textual copying of another’s work.

Reporting Requirements

Allegations or findings of research misconduct must be conveyed to sponsors according to grant contract terms, publicly posted policies, or other legal requirements. Federal agencies have regulations governing research integrity and research misconduct . These regulations and policies prescribe the reporting requirements, including all time limits, for the conduct of the research misconduct process. UToledo complies with all federal and state laws, as applicable, and follows UToledo policy regardless of whether any outside funding applies to the allegation.

References and Resources

Office of Research Integrity (PHS) List of Federal Polices for Federal Funding Agencies

Office of Research Integrity (PHS) Resources for Research Misconduct

Office of Research Integrity (PHS) Regulations: Requirements for Institutional Policies and Procedures on Research Misconduct Under the New PHS Policies on Research Misconduct - 42 CFR Part 93

Office of Research Integrity (PHS) Guidance Documents

National Science Foundation Regulations: Research Misconduct - 45 CFC Part 689

National Science Foundation Scientific Integrity Policy

Department of Energy Research Misconduct information

Department of Defense Research Integrity and Misconduct Information

Integrity in Scientific Research: Creating an Environment That Promotes Responsible Conduct

Montreal Statement on Research Integrity in Cross-Boundary Research Collaborations

ICMJE guidance on Defining the Role of Author and Contributors

Procedures

Reporting an Allegation

For questions or consultation regarding research integrity or reporting research misconduct, please contact the RIO. Reporting suspected misconduct is a shared and serious responsibility of all members of the academic community. Allegations of research misconduct will be treated confidentially to the extent permitted by law. It is preferable that allegations be made in writing, although all effort will be made to investigate all allegations. Allegations may be made to other senior administrators of the University, who will convey those allegations to the RIO. Allegations should include as much detail about the circumstances as possible, to facilitate the research misconduct process.

UToledo has a strict policy on non-retaliation, 3364-15-04. Any retaliation, or threats of retaliation, should also be reported to the RIO.

Phases of the Research Misconduct Process

The research misconduct process is outlined in detail in policy 3364-70-21

Assessment determines if the allegation falls under the definitions of research misconduct in the policy.
Inquiry is the initial information gathering and fact-finding step in the process to determine whether the allegation warrants a formal investigation. An Inquiry Report determines if the proceedings progress to a formal investigation.
Investigation is a formal examination of all relevant facts to determine if a major offense has taken place. An Investigation Report finds whether or not research misconduct is deemed to have occurred.
Resolution is the outcome of the investigation. Based on the recommendations of the Investigation Report, the University Deciding Official finalizes the outcome of the proceedings.

Research and Innovation

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