Research Integrity and Research Misconduct

Integrity in the research process is fundamental to advancement of knowledge, science and medicine. The University of Kansas Medical Center strives to create a research environment that espouses honesty and integrity, not only because regulatory agencies, journal editors and the public expect it, but because it is the right thing to do.

Compromising integrity harms the researcher, his/her research, the institution and the scientific community. Compromise can take many forms, but the categories of Fabrication, Falsification and Plagiarism are governed by Federal regulation and by the KUMC Research Misconduct policy and procedures. These regulations, policies and procedures are in place to evaluate alleged misconduct, address misconduct that has taken place, and to the extent possible mitigate the harmful effects of misconduct.

At KUMC, Dr.  Michael Wolfe serves as the Research Integrity Officer (RIO). The RIO is responsible for receiving allegations of research misconduct and managing the process for evaluating and, if necessary, investigating allegations.

As mentioned above, Research Misconduct includes:

• 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; or
• 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.

To report an allegation of research misconduct:

• Contact Dr. Michael Wolfe at 913-588-7418;
• Leave an message (anonymously or confidentially) on the Compliance Helpline at 913-588-5757

University of Kansas Medical Center
Mail Stop 2014
3901 Rainbow Blvd.
Kansas City, KS 66160

Both Federal regulation and KUMC policy forbid retaliation against a person bringing forth a good-faith allegation of Research Misconduct. Any retaliatory conduct against a person acting in good faith will be subject to disciplinary action.

KUMC Policy and Procedures

KUMC Procedures for Responding to Allegations of Research Misconduct

Regulations and Guidance

Public Health Service Policies on Research Misconduct (42 CFR 93)

Office of Research Integrity Frequently Asked Questions

Other Resources

Office of Research Integrity (Dept. of Health & Human Services)