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- It is the policy of Rowan University to inquire into and, if necessary, investigate and resolve promptly and fairly all instances of alleged research misconduct; and to comply in a timely manner with sponsor requirements for reporting cases of possible research misconduct when sponsored project funds are involved. All University personnel must cooperate with the Research Integrity Officer in the assessment of allegations and the conduct of subsequent inquiries and investigations. Failure to cooperate may result in disciplinary action as appropriate or warranted. This policy applies to faculty, students, other trainees, staff, and all other members of University's research community. Rowan University's Procedures for Reviewing Alleged Research Misconduct applies applies to research and related activities conducted at Rowan University, regardless of funding source. This policy is implemented by the Vice President for Research. This policy is effective February 1, 2014.
- Scientists and scholars have invested a major portion of their time to improve the quality of every aspect of our lives by demonstrating integrity and professionalism in the pursuit of knowledge and gaining the public trust. Trust is the very basis of research – without it, the research and integrity of the researcher and the institution to which he/she belongs crumbles.
- Integrity is fundamental to our work as scientists, scholars and professionals. Walking the lines of research and scholarly activities requires reporting the work honestly, accurately and objectively and without bias. Allowing the research and scholarly findings to be subject to public scrutiny is integral to responsible conduct of research.
- Research misconduct occurs when a researcher fabricates information, falsifies data, or plagiarizes information or ideas within a research or scholarly report. Therefore, there is a need to learn best practices of honesty, accuracy, efficiency and objectivity in different settings since practices vary among disciplines. These practices apply to students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty and researchers alike irrespective of their field of study.
- Rowan University is firmly committed to promoting a culture that values the ethical and responsible conduct of research. Accordingly, allegations of misconduct are taken very seriously, as are the needs to protect the rights of those who make such complaints in good faith and the rights of those who are accused of misconduct.
- The Department of Health and Human Services and the National Science Foundation (NSF) regulations, which define the responsibilities of Public Health Service (PHS) and NSF research grant awardees for dealing with and reporting possible misconduct in research efforts (42CFR, Part 50, Subpart A and 45CFR, Part 689). This commitment is fundamental to the University's mission in fostering the expansion of knowledge. The administration, faculty, students, and staff of the University share in the responsibility for preserving the integrity of research. All members of the University community are responsible for promoting the highest ethical principles in each academic discipline and for holding members of the community accountable to these principles.
- The consequences of misconduct in research may include not only damage to individual careers but also the erosion of public confidence in the integrity of scholarship and research at the University, and generally in the academic community and society. Similarly, false or inaccurate allegations of misconduct in research not made in good faith may injure the reputation of scholars, researchers, and the institution. It is important that there be appropriate University procedures by which allegations of misconduct in research may be fairly and thoroughly aired, both to expose and correct misconduct and to protect the researcher against false charges.
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