Research Misconduct and Standards of Integrity

In partnership with San José State University, the SJSU Research Foundation seeks excellence in the discovery and dissemination of knowledge. We believe that principal investigators and all researchers anticipate that they and others will adhere to the highest standards of integrity in research, instruction and evaluation.

Research misconduct is defined as 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, or disputes over authorship or credit. Plagiarism is the unattributed copying or appropriation of another person’s ideas, unique processes, results, or words without giving appropriate credit.

San José State University is responsible for the inquiry, investigation, and adjudication of alleged research misconduct— and in appropriate cases—taking corrective action. San José State University Academic Senate Policy F12-5 [pdf] addresses allegations of research misconduct. The policy states that, “all members (faculty, staff, and students) are expected to perform their scholarly and scientific activities with the highest ethical standards, honesty, and integrity.” 

As a recipient of federal research funds, San José State University must comply with federal policies and regulations on responding to allegations of research misconduct including, without limitation as stipulated in the following federal policies:

Public Health Service Policies on Research Misconduct,
42 CFR Part 93,Subpart A, Public Health Service Regulations  [pdf] 

Federal Policy on Research Misconduct, Executive Office of the President,
65 Fed.Reg. No. 235, December 6, 2000 Office of Science and Technology Policy [pdf] 

Research Misconduct
45 CFR Part. 689, National Science Foundation Regulations  [pdf]