Research Integrity & Responsible Conduct of Research

All members of the Suffolk University research community--including faculty, research staff, students, adjunct faculty, and visiting researchers--are expected to adhere to the highest ethical and professional standards as they pursue research activities, complying with all legal, regulatory, and ethical requirements established by the University, regulatory bodies, funding sources, and professional organizations.

Recognizing that responsible conduct of research is essential for promoting public trust in research and in the University, programs and materials that increase the knowledge of and facilitate the practice of responsible research are available to the Suffolk University community. We strongly encourage you to complete the online CITI course on conducting responsible research.

The Office of Research Integrity (ORI) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is the federal agency charged with oversight for the responsible conduct of research. Information related to research integrity, the responsible conduct of research, and case studies may be found here.

The ORI publishes and periodically updates its comprehensive Introduction to the Responsible Conduct of Research. This office encourages researchers to make a special effort to understand, discuss, and teach others about this initiative, bearing in mind that standards can vary from discipline to discipline.

Data, Acquisition, Management, Sharing, and Ownership

The proper and ethical collection, representation, and retention of data; communicating clearly, honestly, and respectfully with all members of the research community

Appropriately disclosing any relationships, financial or personal, that might be perceived to compromise one's scholarly judgment

Appropriate credit and acknowledgments, citations, co-authorship, description of methods, representing accurately and honestly the actual observations and findings in whatever medium they are presented; using statistics and other methods of data analysis and evaluation in an appropriate and responsible manner

Facilitating the training and development of students and other junior members of the community, ensuring that they have the opportunity to achieve their full potential; demonstrating respect, protecting their rights and welfare, and fulfilling the spirit and intent of requirements of all applicable laws, regulations, policies, and guidelines

Treating all members of the research community with impartiality, respect and fairness, disclosing real or perceived conflicts of interest, and maintaining confidentiality

Facilitating the exchange of knowledge among researchers at all levels of experience by encouraging a climate of intellectual collaboration and trust; communicating clearly

Demonstrating respect for all people engaged in research as participants by protecting their rights and welfare and fulfilling the spirit and intent of requirements of all applicable laws, regulations, policies, and guidelines

Treating animals used in research and instruction with attention to their welfare and in compliance with all applicable laboratory animal care laws, regulations, policies, and guidelines

Understanding the consequences of fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism and responsibilities and protections for reporting.Please read the UMass Boston Procedures for Responding to Alleged Research Misconduct [PDF].

Demonstrating stewardship of resources by the appropriate use of research funds, care and maintenance of equipment and other research materials, and compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, policies, and guidelines for the use and disposal of hazardous substances.