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 KU Medical Center, Ryan Werth, Director of Research Integrity, is serving as the acting 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 Ryan Werth by phone at 913-588-1288;
- Write to Ryan at: University of Kansas Medical Center, Mail Stop 7004, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas City, KS 66160
- Make a report on the toll-free Institutional Helpline at 844-420-9065 or online at Institutional Hotline. In situations where you prefer to place an anonymous report, you are encouraged to use this hotline, hosted by a third party hotline provider, Lighthouse, to facilitate anonymous reporting of suspected violation of laws, policies or standards in a manner that supports resolution and assures non-retaliation.
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 Responding to Allegations of Research Misconduct Policy
- KUMC Research Record Management, Disposition and Retention Policy
- Whistleblower Policy: Reporting Suspected Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation
Regulations and Guidance
- Public Health Service Policies on Research Misconduct (42 CFR 93)
- Office of Research Integrity Frequently Asked Questions