Research Integrity

Misconduct in research can take many different forms, however Research Misconduct as defined by the federal regulations is defined as:

• Fabrication: Making up data or results and recording or reporting them
• Falsification: 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: The appropriation of another person's words, ideas, processes or research results without acknowledgement, and passing them off as one's own

Questionable research practices

Concerns or disputes that do not meet the level of research misconduct should be resolved within the appropriate research group, division or department. These may include, but are not limited to authorship or attribution of credit, access to, use of or interpretations of data, differences of opinion, or honest error. For information and recommendations on authorship criteria, i.e. who should be included as an author, who should not be included, the order in which the authors should be listed, etc., please visit the Research Ethics Program Authorship Topic.  

Learn more about research misconduct:

• Research Misconduct Process (PDF)
• Research Misconduct Frequently Asked Questions

Reporting research misconduct concerns:

Please contact:

• Corinne Peek-Asa, PhD., Vice Chancellor for Research, Research Integrity Officer
• Angela McMahill, JD, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research Compliance and Integrity

• Administrative Responsibilities Handbook 
• ORI Introduction to the Responsible Conduct of Research (PDF)
• Research Misconduct Complainant Factsheet (PDF)
• Research Misconduct Support Resources Factsheet (PDF)
• UC San Diego Guidelines for Accepting Service of Subpoenas
• UC San Diego Guidelines on Access and Management of Research Data
• UC San Diego Hotline
• UC San Diego Principles of Community
• UC Statement on Ethical Values (PDF)

• Faculty Code of Conduct APM 015
• Federal Policy on Research Misconduct
• NSF Research Misconduct Regulation (PDF)
• Reporting & Investigating Improper Governmental Activities Misuse of University Resources, 
  Fraud, and Other Financial Irregularities PPM 460-5
• UCOP Electronic Communications Policy
• UCOP Policy on Integrity in Research (June 26, 1990)
• UC San Diego Integrity of Research Policy and Procedures PPM 100-4
• UC Whistleblower Policies
• UC Research Data Policy