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Office of the Vice President for Research
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Research Integrity, Stewardship, & Ethics

By adhering to institutional policies and procedures, federal regulations, and best practices within the research community, the University of Rochester is committed to research integrity and the ethical conduct of research. To learn more about research integrity, follow the links below.

 

Our Team

Sonya Maria Hadrigan

Associate Vice President Research Integrity

Research Integrity Officer

sonyah@rochester.edu

Kelly O’Keefe

Research Integrity Director

Policies & Guidance

Find the policies and practical guidance that help researchers, trainees, and staff navigate research integrity-related requirements and expectations. ORISE also provides tools and references to support consistent, fair application across the University.

Policy on Research Misconduct

https://www.rochester.edu/policies/policy/policy-on-research-misconduct/

Definitions

This glossary explains common research integrity and compliance terms used in ORISE resources. It’s intended to promote clarity and shared understanding for faculty, trainees, and staff.

Research

Research in general means a systematic experiment, study, evaluation, demonstration, or survey designed to develop or contribute to general knowledge (basic research) or specific knowledge (applied research) by establishing, discovering, developing, elucidating, or confirming information or underlying mechanisms.

Research misconduct

“Research misconduct” is defined as fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, or reviewing research, or in reporting research results.

  • Fabrication is defined as making up data or results and recording or reporting them.
  • Falsification is defined as 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 is defined as the appropriation of another person’s ideas, processes, results or words without giving appropriate credit.
  • Honest error or difference of opinion is not research misconduct.

Reporting Concerns

Concerns related to research integrity and the ethical conduct of research can be reported confidentially to the Research Integrity Officer (RIO), Sonya Hadrigan, or to the Office of Research Integrity, Stewardship, & Ethics at ORISE@rochester.edu or (585) 276-0485. Anonymous reports can be submitted to the Research Integrity Helpline.

Concerns related to other improper or unethical behavior may be reported to the University’s Office of Integrity and Compliance via the Integrity Helpline (anonymous reports accepted) or (585) 756-8888.

The University prohibits retaliation against individuals who report concerns in good faith.

University Research Integrity Resources

Additional Resources

National Institutes of Health
US DHHS Office of Research Integrity