Integrity and Conduct
in Research and Scholary Activity

The University-College holds all researchers responsible for conducting their research in strict observance of ethical standards, existing policies such as those related to research involving human subjects, and the following behavior:

• Using scholarly and scientific rigor and integrity in obtaining, recording and analyzing data, and in reporting and publishing results; not fabricating or falsifying data or results

• Recognizing the substantive contributions of all collaborators; using unpublished works of other researchers and scholars only with permission and with due acknowledgment and using archival material in accordance with the rules of the archival source

• Ensuring that authorship of published work includes all persons who have materially contributed to, and share responsibility for, the contents of the publication, and only those persons

• Obtaining the written permission of an author before using new information, concepts or data originally obtained through access to confidential manuscripts or applications for funds for research or training that may have been seen as a result of processes such as a peer review

• Seeking and obtaining approval by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) before engaging in any research involving human subjects and then complying fully with the approved research protocols in the performance of the research

• Seeking and obtaining approval by the University-College Animal Care Committee before engaging in any research involving animals and then complying fully with the approved research protocols in the performance of the research

• Seeking and obtaining approval by the appropriate committee or authority before engaging in any research involving biohazards or ionizing radiation (respectively) and then complying fully with the approved research protocols in the performance of the research

• Complying with the policies regarding funding and contracts as they relate to the operational and financial terms of research grants and/or contracts awarded to the researcher

• Revealing as early as possible, in writing, to the CGA and OVPRGS any material financial interest in a company that contracts with the University-College to undertake research, particularly research involving the company's products

• Revealing as early as possible, in writing, to the sponsors of the research project, this and other institutions, journals or funding agencies, any material conflict of interest, financial or other, that might influence their decision on whether the individual should be asked to review manuscripts or applications, test products or be permitted to undertake work sponsored from outside sources

Misconduct in research includes, but is not limited to, any deviation from these modes of behavior.  The University-College is responsible for investigating allegations of misconduct in research involving its researchers.  Such allegations may arise from sources within or outside the University-College.  Allegations may be well founded, honestly erroneous, mischievous or malicious.  Whatever their source, motivation or accuracy, allegations of misconduct in research have the potential to cause great harm to the person accused, to the person making the accusation, to the University-College and to research and scholarship in general.  They therefore require prompt, effective action by the University-College.

For more information on MSU policies regarding research integrity, contact:
OVPRGS
(The Office of the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies)
232 Administration Building
517-355-0306

Also, the following MSU sites may be helpful:
Research Integrity and Ethics Resources

Research Integrity

Human Research

Research Involving Human Subjects Links

Conducting Research

Office of Research Ethics and Standards