Research Misconduct

What is Research Misconduct?

According to the Federal Policy on Research Misconduct, Research Misconduct is defined as fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, or reviewing research, or in reporting research results.

• Fabrication is making up data or results and recording or reporting them.
• Falsification is 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.
• Plagiarism is 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.

FSU Policy, Procedures, and Other Resources

• FSU Policy on Misconduct in Research, Creative Activity, and Scholarship (Policy 7A-2)
• FSU Procedures Concerning Allegations of Misconduct in Research, Creative Activity, and Scholarship
• Research Misconduct Brochure
• FSU Policy Against Fraudulent, Unethical and Other Dishonest Acts (Policy 4-OP-C-13)
• FSU Ethics and Compliance Hot Line
• FSU Library Guide - Avoiding Plagiarism
• FSU Citation Guide

iThenticate – Plagiarism Prevention Software

Like Turnitin, the iThenticate software is an intellectual property verification tool that checks documents for originality in order to prevent plagiarism. Turnitin is used primarily for reviewing student assignments; however, iThenticate is designed for more scholarly works. Using iThenticate prior to submission of proposals or scholarly publications is optional but strongly encouraged. Click here for more information about iThenticate or to request an iThenticate account.

Request an iThenticate Account

Log into iThenticate

Consequences of Research Misconduct

As shown below, individual Federal agencies have their own policy related to research misconduct. However, the majority of them agree on the potential consequences to the investigator of a finding of misconduct. Those consequences may include, but are not limited to:

• Debarment from eligibility to receive Federal funds for grants and contracts;
• Prohibition from service on advisory committees, peer review committees, or as consultants;
• Certification of information sources by respondent that is forwarded by institution;
• Certification of data by institution;
• Imposition of supervision on the respondent by the institution; and
• Submission of a correction or retraction of a published article by respondent.

For assistance with misconduct issues, please contact research-compliance@fsu.edu.

Federal Regulations Related to Misconduct in Research

• Department of Agriculture, DR 1074-001
• Department of Defense, DOD Instruction 3210.7
• Department of Energy, 2 CFR 910.132
• Department of Labor, 68 FR 53862
• Department of Transportation, DOT Order 1100.75
• Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Order 3120.5
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 14 CFR 1275
• National Endowment for the Humanities, NEH Research Misconduct Policy
• National Science Foundation, 45 CFR 689
• Public Health Service, 42 CFR 93
• Smithsonian Institute, Smithsonian Directive 604
• Veteran’s Administration, VHA Handbook 1058.2

Additional Resources

• DHHS Office of Research Integrity,ORI Policy on Plagiarism
• DHHS/ORI: Avoiding plagiarism, self-plagiarism, and other questionable writing practices: A guide to ethical writing
• DHHS/ORI: Infographics related to the responsible conduct of research (RCR) and the handling of research misconduct
• DHHS/ORI: Training Video Series that address integrity issues faced by those involved in research
• National Science Foundation, Office of Inspector General, Semiannual Report to Congress, March 2015, Research Misconduct Investigations (pp. 23-33).