RESEARCH MISCONDUCT

Mass General Brigham is committed to advancing a culture of compliance and scientific integrity among its investigators, postdoctoral fellows, research staff, and research administrators. Although rare, instances of research misconduct may arise. When they do, it is the responsibility of the research community to see they are addressed appropriately.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Research​ Integrity (ORI) defines research misconduct as fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, or reviewing research, or in reporting research results. Research misconduct does not include honest error or difference of opinion.

  • Fabrication – making up data or results and recording or reporting them
  • Falsification – manipulating research materials, equipment, or processes, 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 ideas, processes, results, or words without giving appropriate credit

All members of the Mass General Brigham community have an obligation to report allegations of research misconduct to the appropriate hospital Research Integrity Officer (RIO) unless the allegation is clearly frivolous. Allegations should be as specific as possible. Ideally, they should be substantiated with documented observations, documents of facts, and/or any other form of proof from which the RIO can begin a formal review. The Complainant should not discuss the allegation with other members of the hospital or Mass General Brigham research community prior to discussion with the RIO. If an allegation involves a person who also has an appointment at Harvard Medical School (HMS), Harvard will participate in the investigation and resolution as well.

A finding of Research Misconduct requires that

  • There be a significant departure from accepted practices of the relevant research community
  • The misconduct be committed intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly
  • The allegation be proven by a preponderance of the evidence
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