Traditionally, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Public Health Service (“PHS”) has narrowly defined research misconduct as conduct that calls into question the integrity of a body of scientific work. This includes fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism in proposing, performing, or reviewing research, or in reporting research results. See 42 CFR 93.103.
Fabrication is making up data or results and recording and/or reporting them. Falsification is manipulating research materials, equipment, or processes, or changing or omitting data or results, such that he research does not accurately reflect the research record compiled. Plagiarism is the appropriation of another person’s ideas, processes, results, or words without giving appropriate credit. Honest error or a difference of opinion is not research misconduct. See 42 CFR 93.103(d).
While most institutions have incorporated this tripartite definition into their own internal research misconduct policy, public and private institutions may broaden PHS’s standard definition. Before responding to an allegation of research misconduct, you should review the relevant policies that may govern the allegations.