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Integrity in Research
Integrity in research is an essential part of Purdue University’s intellectual and social structure, and adherence to its spirit and principles must be maintained. These principles include commitment to truth, objectivity, fairness, honesty, and free inquiry.
The integrity of the research process must depend largely on self-regulation; it is the responsibility of all who engage in the search for knowledge. Advances are gleaned from rigorous application of scientific and scholarly methods in compliance with ethical codes rooted in intellectual honesty.
Major attention must be directed toward establishing the best possible research environment. To accomplish this goal, each researcher and academic unit has an obligation to participate in and focus attention on:
1) Encouraging
integrity in research
2) Discouraging
the quest for success at the expense of integrity
3) Assigning credit
and responsibility appropriately
4) Accepting responsibility
for the integrity of students and staff involved in
research
5) Conducting interpersonal
relationships in a professional manner
6) Establishing
well-defined research protocols and maintaining careful
records
"Research misconduct" is fabrication, falsification,
plagiarism, or other practice that seriously deviates
from those that are commonly accepted within the scientific
and academic community for proposing, conducting, or
reporting research. It does not include honest error
or honest differences in interpretations or judgments
of data.
All members of the academic community have a responsibility
to report research misconduct if and when they believe
substantive evidence exists. Persons who, in good faith,
report questionable conduct will be protected against
reprisals.
The mere suspicion or allegation of wrongdoing, even
if totally unjustified, is potentially damaging to a
person's career. Consequently, no information about
charges of a lack of integrity in research may be disclosed
except to the appropriate University authorities.
University policy states that all initial allegations
of research misconduct must be reported in writing to
the school/college dean (or the dean of the Graduate School
if the allegation involves a graduate student).
For further information on the University's policy
on integrity in research and procedures to be followed
in any situation related to research misconduct, consult
Executive
Memorandum C-22; Academic Procedure Manual, page N-30; or contact the Office of Research Administration,
Hovde Hall, 49-46840.
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