Policy for Responding to Allegations of Research Misconduct

It is the goal of the University of Central Arkansas to maintain an atmosphere of honesty and trust in which the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge can occur. Integrity in research and scholarship is a fundamental value upon which the University is founded. All members of the University community share responsibility for maintaining a climate of trust between scholars, researchers and students, and between the academic community and the public. Occasionally, however, researchers may, inadvertently or not, violate accepted norms of professional behavior, jeopardizing the reputation of the University, and possibly damaging their careers and those of colleagues. Therefore, a responsibility of the University of Central Arkansas is to establish and enforce policies and procedures that deal effectively and expeditiously with allegations or evidence of research misconduct.

This policy applies to all individuals paid by, under the control of, or affiliated with the University of Central Arkansas, such as the faculty; staff; graduate student assistants; undergraduate, and graduate students conducting research; postdoctoral fellows and postdoctoral research associates; faculty on sabbatical leave; visiting faculty; and adjunct faculty when performing University work. The policy will be followed when an allegation of possible research misconduct is received by an institutional official, although particular circumstances in an individual case may dictate variation from the normal procedures. Any change from normal procedures must ensure fair treatment to the respondent and informant of the allegation. Any significant variation should be approved in advance by the Deciding Official and the Research Integrity Officer (RIO) of the University of Central Arkansas, and if funding is involved, the funding agency and/or the federal Office of Research Integrity (ORI) will be notified and consulted.

Procedures for Responding to Allegations of Research Misconduct

The purpose of these procedures is to provide advice to university officials on the methods and principles for assessing allegations and conducting inquiries and investigations related to possible research misconduct. These procedures also address requirements for reporting research misconduct investigations, adopting institutional actions in response to findings of research misconduct, and cooperating with the Federal Office of Research Integrity in its review of institutional actions and reports. These procedures are intended to guide institutional officials responsible for assessing allegations, conducting inquiries and investigations, and reporting the results to appropriate agencies. The procedures do not create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law by a party against the institution, its agencies, officers, or employees. These procedures should be read and implemented in conjunction with the University of Central Arkansas Policy for Responding to Allegations of Research Misconduct.