Reporting Alleged Research Misconduct and Animal Protocol Violations

Research Misconduct means:

a) The knowing fabrication, falsification, or manipulation by a researcher of data or information;

b) The knowing theft by a researcher of data, materials, or information, including but not limited to plagiarism;

Implicit in this definition of misconduct is that a preponderance of the evidence proves that fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism; theft; non-compliance with legal requirements; or disregard of associate conduct was committed intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly, and not merely carelessly.

Protocol Violations involving the Use of Animals in Research means:

That there is a variance between the activity that has been reviewed and approved by the IACUC and the actual activities being performed. A violation may be minor or major in nature.

Minor Protocol Violation: Minor protocol violations 1) have no substantive effects on animal welfare or to animal handlers; or 2) have no substantive effects on the value of the data collected (meaning the violation does not confound the scientific analysis of the results); or 3) did not result from willful or knowing disregard of IACUC requirements on the part of the investigator(s).

Major Protocol Violation: Major protocol violations include violations that 1) have or pose a significant risk of substantive harm to the animals; or 2) damage the scientific integrity of the data collected; or 3) include evidence of willful or knowing disregard of IACUC requirements on the part of the investigator; or 4) the investigator(s) demonstrate other serious or continued noncompliance with federal, state or local research policy, laws or regulations.

Implicit in this definition of protocol violations involving the use of animals in research is any suspected misuse, mistreatment, or cruelty to animals while under researcher or institutional care. Any such suspected activities should be reported, without question, to the Research Integrity Officer (RIO).