Howard University: Office of The Provost & Chief Academic Officer

HOWARD UNIVERSITY
Office of the Provost and Chief Academic Officer

HOWARD UNIVERSITY
POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING ALLEGATIONS OF SCIENTIFIC MISCONDUCT—REVISED (11/2000)

PREAMBLE

Howard University upholds the scientific method in the conduct of research and is unequivocally committed to the ethical conduct of research by its personnel and students. Individuals charged with supervision of research, as well as all individuals directly engaged in research, and collaborators of researchers outside their own laboratories bear obligations to pursue their studies in an ethical manner. All researchers bear responsibility for the quality of all data that they publish. A requirement of valid experimental observation is that the data and/or the conditions of obtaining the data can be verified, either by scrutiny of accurate records made at the time of experimentation or by repetition of the experiments.

Willful misconduct in the pursuit of basic, clinical, or applied research at Howard University is intolerable behavior for administrators, faculty, staff, and students. Research misconduct is defined as fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing or reviewing research, or in reported research results. It is the direct responsibility of all University personnel to maintain the highest standards of ethics and professional integrity in the performance of and in the reporting of research activities. Infractions of this policy constitute grounds for disciplinary action such as removal from a particular project, letter of reprimand, monitoring of future work, probation, suspension, salary reduction, rank reduction, or termination of employment. Misconduct may also result in the suspension or dismissal of a student or trainee from the University.

Definitions
Preventing or Avoiding Scientific Misconduct

Appointment
Guidelines for Handling Allegations of Scientific Misconduct

Initial Inquiry

Formal Investigation