Research Integrity

At UNMC, research misconduct means fabrication, falsification or plagiarism in proposing, performing or reviewing research, or in reporting research results. Research misconduct does not include honest error or differences of opinion.

• 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. 
• Fabrication: Making up data or results and recording or reporting them. 
• Plagiarism: The appropriation of another person’s ideas, processes, results, or words without giving appropriate credit.

Upon receipt of an allegation of research misconduct, the allegations and information provided are assessed by the Research Integrity Office. This may lead to inquiry when the facts and circumstances provide sufficient information to require that the evaluation move forward for additional review via an inquiry.

Upon completion of an inquiry, the evaluation may proceed to an investigation to determine if research misconduct can be documented.

The RCR program requires completion of Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative  program online modules, as well as 8 face-to-face classroom hours in the RCR workshop.

Learn more about RCR.

Individuals seeking assistance to resolve a disagreement regarding authorship should first consult their department chair or unit/division head. If the issue is not satisfactorily resolved, then you should consult with the Research Integrity Office. Likewise, queries regarding interpretation of the authorship guidelines or concerns about violations of these guidelines should be directed to the Research Integrity Office.

Authorship disputes are not considered research misconduct, but knowing, intentional, or reckless violation of these guidelines represents a conduct violation, and in some cases, may be considered a form of retaliation. Thus, resolution of authorship disputes may involve corrective action.

The UNMC Authorship Guidelines apply to all individuals at UNMC engaged in research, including non-funded projects, projects supported by governmental entities and private funding sources, and any person paid by, under control of or affiliated with UNMC.

Research Integrity (Policy No. 8003)
This policy is regarding alleged research misconduct, not authorship or collaboration disputes. It applies to all individuals at UNMC engaged in research, including non-funded projects, projects supported by governmental entities and private funding sources. It applies to any person paid by, under control of or affiliated with UNMC.

Code of Conduct (Policy No. 8006)
This policy is regarding ethical standards and legal obligations for individuals at UNMC as they perform their daily activities. It applies to all UNMC faculty, staff and students.

• "Public Health Service Policies on Research Misconduct," 42 CFR Part 93, Subpart A, Public Health Service regulations
• "Federal Policy on Research Misconduct," Executive Office of the President, 65 Fed. Reg. No. 235, December 6, 2000, Office of Science and Technology Policy
• "Research Misconduct," 45 CFR Part 689, National Science Foundation regulations
• "Update on the Requirement for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research," NOT-OD-10-019

• University of Nebraska at Kearney Integrity in Authorship and Research
• University of Nebraska–Lincoln Research Compliance Services
• University of Nebraska Omaha Office of Research and Creative Activity

• Office of Research Integrity
• National Institutes of Health
• National Science Foundation