Research Misconduct

Research misconduct is explicitly defined in federal regulations and CUNY Policy as plagiarism, fabrication and falsification. Implications of research misconduct include but are not limited to: i) harm to individuals or society when patient care, government policies, social services, etc. are designed based on such research; ii) waste of funds and other resources; iii) loss of credibility and public trust in research and science; iv) reputational damage to individuals and institutions; and v) inaccurate research records that inform future research.

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

Reporting allegations, inquiry and investigation of research misconduct follow CUNY’s Policy Regarding the Disposition of Allegations of Research Misconduct (PDF). This Policy describes the procedures to be followed by the University in connection with any Allegation that University faculty, staff, post-doctoral associates, and/or students, whether paid by the University or through other funding sources, may have engaged in Research Misconduct. This Policy is also intended to comply with the requirements of applicable regulatory agencies and the sponsors of research.