Integrity and Misconduct 

in Research

Report of the Commission on Research

Integrity

To the Secretary of Health and Human Services

The House Committee on Commerce

The Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources

1995

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Public Health Service
Commission on Research Integrity

Membership

Kenneth J. Ryan, M.D., Chair

Distinguished Kate Macy Ladd Professor

Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 

Harvard Medical School, and

Chairman, Ethics Committee

Brigham and Women's Hospital

Boston, MA

 

Carol A. Aschenbrener, M.D.

Chancellor,

University of Nebraska 

Medical Center

Omaha, NE 

Carolyn Whitfield Broome, Ph.D.

Associate Professor,

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Howard University 

College of Medicine

Washington, DC

 

Eugene H. Cota-Robles, Ph.D.

Professor Emeritus, Biology

University of California,

Santa Cruz, CA

Thomas M. Devine, Esq.

Legal Director,

Government Accountability Project

Washington, DC 

Linda L. Emanuel, M.D., Ph.D.

Assistant Director, 

Division of Medical Ethics

Harvard Medical School

Boston, MA 

C. K. Gunsalus, J.D.

Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs,

University of Illinois,

Urbana-Champaign, IL 

Karl J. Hittelman, Ph.D.

Associate Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs

University of California, 

San Francisco, CA 

ii

Drummond Rennie, M.D.

Deputy Editor (West), 

Journal of the American Medical Association, 

Chicago, IL, 

and Adjunct Professor of Medicine, 

Institute for Health Policy Studies

University of California, 

San Francisco, CA 

Priscilla A. Schaffer, Ph.D.

Professor, 

Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics

Harvard Medical School

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Boston, MA 

S. Andrew Schaffer, Esq.

Senior Vice President and General Counsel, and 

Adjunct Professor of Law

New York University

New York, NY 

Judith P. Swazey, Ph.D.

President,

The Acadia Institute

Bar Harbor, ME 

Staff

Henrietta D. Hyatt-Knorr, M.A.

Executive Secretary

Rockville, MD

Anne H. Rosenfeld

Science Writer

Rockville, MD
iii

Letters of Transmittal

On November 3, 1995, Dr. Kenneth J. Ryan, Chair of the Commission on Research Integrity,

sent the following message to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and to the

Chairs of the House Committee on Commerce and the Senate Committee on Labor and

Human Resources:

On behalf of the Commission on Research Integrity, I am pleased to transmit our final

report and recommendations: Integrity and Misconduct in Research. The

Commission's mandate was established in Section 162 of Public Law 103-43, the

NIH Revitalization Act of 1993, in reaction to continuing misconduct in research and

retaliation against whistleblowers in spite of federal regulations existing since 1989

and more than a dozen congressional hearings. According to the Commission

charter, we were asked to consider: a new definition of research misconduct; an

assurance process for institutional compliance with HHS regulation; mechanisms by

which to respond to and oversee related administrative functions and investigations;

and development of a regulation to protect whistleblowers.

In fulfilling its mandate, the Commission held a total of 11 meetings open to the public

in the Washington area and 4 regional hearings on university campuses in California,

Illinois, Massachusetts, and Alabama. The Commission proved to be an effective

forum for soliciting testimony on research integrity from all affected constituencies,

including scientists, whistleblowers, attorneys, institutions, scientific organizations, the

press, interested citizens, and federal officials. We have listened and deliberated

carefully based on the extraordinary outpouring of commentary on the issues. We

believe the recommendations unanimously supported by the Commission are realistic

and balance the interests of the Federal Government, research institutions, scientists,

and the public. We believe that the individual scientists and their research institutions

and societies bear the primary responsibility for preserving integrity and dealing with

misconduct when it occurs. We are not recommending a bigger federal role, only a

more effective one.

The creation and functioning of the Commission gave fresh expression and hope to

many disillusioned scientists and whistleblowers that their voices could be heard and

might make a difference in advancing the cause of scientific integrity and public trust. 

It is for this reason that the Commission urges that an independent oversight review

body with a membership like the Commission's be created to periodically conduct

hearings and review regulations and policies that affect federally funded biomedical

and behavioral research. The Commission also hopes that the resources needed for

effective oversight and timely disposition of investigations be carefully considered.

We appreciate the opportunity to have served on this task, which is so important to

the public and the scientific community.
iv

Acknowledgments

The Commission on Research Integrity is indebted to the many individuals and institutions

who have helped it fulfill its mission. We are grateful to the following consultants for the

knowledge and expertise they shared with the Commission: Stephanie J. Bird, Ph.D.,

Cambridge, MA; Louis M. Guenin, J.D., Boston, MA; David H. Guston, Ph.D., New

Brunswick, NJ; and Stephen E. Toulmin, Ph.D., Los Angeles, CA.

We give special thanks to Dr. Lyle Bivens, DHHS, and Dr. Donald Buzzelli, NSF, for their

dedication and untiring support of the Commission.

We are also indebted to the following DHHS employees for sharing professional skills that

have immeasurably enhanced the effectiveness and efficiency of our work: Ms. Elaine

Alvarez de Benavides, Ms. Doris Campos-Infantino, Ms. Hilda Goldstein, Mr. Chris McNickle,

Ms. Maria Mone, Ms. Karen Patrias, Ms. Catherine West, and Andrea Selzer, Esq., as well

as Mr. George Getsinger of CASET Associates.

Our thanks are extended as well to the four universities that graciously offered to host the

Commission's regional meetings: De Paul University, Chicago, IL; Harvard University,

Boston, MA; University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL; and University of California, San

Francisco, CA.

We also deeply appreciate the contributions of all witnesses who generously shared

experience, expertise, and advice with the Commission, often at considerable personal

expense.

The Commission would especially like to acknowledge the extraordinary contributions of its

Executive Secretary Henrietta Hyatt-Knorr and science writer Anne Rosenfeld in the

organization and conduct of our meetings and the development of this report.
v

Contents

LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL iii

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY vii

I. INTRODUCTION 1

II. COMMISSION DELIBERATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 

5 

A. Promoting and Maintaining Research Integrity:

 A Shared Responsibility 5

B. Definition of Research Misconduct 

and Other Professional Misconduct 6

1. Introduction 6

2. Recommendation 13

3. Uniform Federal Definition 15

4. Recommendation 15

C. Education and Standards for 

Research Integrity 15

1. Role of Research Institutions 

and the Federal Government 15

2. Role of Professional Societies 

and Codes of Ethics 19

D. Responsible Whistleblowing 21

 E. Administrative Processes and Investigations 

in Research Misconduct 24

1. Structures and Procedures 

of Research Institutions 24

2. Federal Structures and Procedures 26

F. Summary of Recommendations 33

APPENDICES

A. Commission Charter 42

B. Commission Meetings/Hearings 45

C. Structure and Function of the 

DHHS Office of Research Integrity 47

D. Commentary on Offenses Described in Definition 

of "Research Misconduct" 50

E. Draft Whistleblower Protection Guidelines 56

F. Abbreviations 68
vi

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vii

Executive Summary

Commission on Research Integrity: Origins and Charge

Congress created the Commission on Research Integrity in 1993 in response to continuing

controversy concerning the apparent inability of the scientific community and the Federal

Government to deal adequately with misconduct in scientific research. The Commission's

task was to advise the Secretary of Health and Human Services and Congress about ways

to improve the Public Health Service (PHS) response to misconduct in biomedical and

behavioral research receiving PHS funding. Issues to be addressed included: 1) the

definition of research misconduct; 2) the assurance process for research institutions'

compliance with DHHS regulations; 3) the administrative processes of institutions and the

PHS for dealing with allegations of misconduct; 4) and the development of a regulation to

protect whistleblowers.

The Commission's 12 members, chaired by Dr. Kenneth Ryan of Harvard University Medical

School, were selected to include scientists, research misconduct investigators,

administrators of research institutions, attorneys, and ethicists. The Commission held public

meetings monthly from June 1994 through October 1995, primarily in the Washington, D.C.,

metropolitan area; regional public hearings were held in San Francisco, Chicago, Boston,

and Birmingham. These meetings and hearings elicited a range of opinion and experience

regarding weaknesses in current institutional and federal policies and practices related to

research misconduct, as well as suggestions for improvement. The Commission also

consulted informally with relevant non-PHS federal agencies, and with professional and

scientific organizations.

Guiding Considerations and Principles

In its deliberations, the Commission sought to develop a fair, balanced, and realistic

response to its charge, while taking into account the many parties potentially affected by the

implementation of its recommendations. Certain principles emerged as fundamental to this

effort:

Balancing responsibilities: Individual scientists, research institutions and

professional societies have primary responsibility for preserving research integrity and

pursuing research misconduct; the role of the Federal Government should complement and

enhance that of institutions and societies, and federal intervention should occur only when

institutional processes fail.
viii

Clarifying the federal interest in research misconduct: A federal definition

of research misconduct should bridge legal and scientific perspectives to state clearly for all

potential users: (a) the principles on which it is based; (b) the federal interest in research

misconduct; and © the specific behaviors to be prohibited and their boundaries.

Reducing unnecessary complexity and conflicting requirements in

federal regulations related to research misconduct: Consistency is needed

among all federal definitions of research misconduct and among the administrative

mechanisms related to them.

Promoting research integrity and attempting to prevent research

misconduct: Research integrity is best fostered by developing and disseminating clear

standards of behavior in science (whether by professional organizations or by research

institutions or both), and by reinforcing those standards through education and example at all

stages of scientific development, and at all levels of research administration.

Creating an institutional climate in which concerns about unethical

research conduct can be voiced without fear: Good-faith whistleblowers are

important to the identification and ultimate punishment of those who violate research ethics. 

Both whistleblowers and those they accuse of research misconduct must be treated with

respect, fairness, and openness. In addition, whistleblowers need to be protected from

retaliation, and their concerns should be resolved by decision makers whose judgment is not

tainted by bias.

Assuring fairness in misconduct proceedings: In pursuing allegations of

research misconduct at both the federal and institutional levels, a separation must be

maintained between investigation and adjudication.

Mitigating inherent conflicts of interest and promoting impartiality in

institutional inquiries and investigations of alleged research

misconduct: Whatever processes individual institutions develop or adopt, they must

achieve a fair balance of impartiality and advocacy in all proceedings. Allegations must be

addressed through procedures that are impartial, fair, fact-based, accessible, and open. 

Summary of Commission Recommendations

The Commission on Research Integrity recommends to the Secretary of Health and Human

Services (HHS) and to Congress a plan to improve the administration of the Federal

Government's research integrity and research misconduct activities and to encourage an

appropriate assumption of self-regulatory responsibility by the scientific community. (The
ix

Commission's major recommendations are briefly summarized here, with a full summary

presented in Section IIF.) 
x

The Commission recommends that the Secretary of HHS:

! Adopt a new federal definition of research misconduct and other professional

misconduct related to research. The proposed definition specifies offenses that by

themselves constitute research misconduct: misappropriation, interference, and

misrepresentation (MIM). Each is a form of dishonesty or unfairness that, if

sufficiently serious, violates the principles on which the definition is based. The

definition clarifies the role of intent in research misconduct, and distinguishes such

behavior from other defined forms of research-related professional misconduct,

including obstruction of investigations of research misconduct and noncompliance

with research regulations.

! Form an interagency task force to develop a common federal definition of research

misconduct and other forms of professional misconduct related to research.

! Expand existing institutional assurances to require that research institutions provide

research integrity education for all individuals supported by PHS research funds.

! Develop a regulation guaranteeing appropriate standards for protection of

whistleblowers, based on "Responsible Whistleblowing: A Whistleblower's Bill of

Rights." (See Section IID.)

! Require that intramural research programs of the PHS be subject to requirements

concerning assurances, annual reports, and monitoring that parallel requirements for

research institutions. 

! Streamline DHHS administrative requirements and mechanisms concerning

investigation and adjudication of research misconduct allegations, federal

intervention in institutional misconduct proceedings, and the imposition of federal

sanctions.

! Focus federal oversight of institutional research integrity and research misconduct

activities.

In other recommendations, the Commission encourages:

! Scientific and professional societies to adopt and apply codes of ethics in research to

educate their membership and to help ensure that all scientists follow professional

ethical standards for their particular disciplines; and

 

! Research institutions to develop and disseminate specific guidelines for good

scientific practices.

The Commission believes that, if implemented with sensitivity to the individual characteristics

of research institutions and disciplines, these recommendations can contribute to a scientific

environment that nurtures research integrity.
xi

This is a blank page.
1

 42 C.F.R. Part 50, subpart A; August 8, 1989. This definition is still in use in the Public Health Serv

referred to in this document as "the current PHS definition" or "the current DHHS definition." 

2

 National Science Foundation (1991): Misconduct in science and engineering: Final rule. Fede

Register 56 (May 14): 22286-90. 

1

 

Introduction

The Commission on Research Integrity was created by Congress in 1993 to address an

apparent failure to solve the important ethical, scientific, social, and legal problems posed by

allegations against scientists of misconduct in research (see Charter, Appendix A).

In 1989, Federal regulations governing scientific misconduct in research funded by the

Public Health Service (PHS) were put in place in response to reports of fraudulent behavior

by scientists, the evident plight of mistreated whistleblowers, more than a dozen

congressional

hearings, and widespread media coverage. The public, the Congress, and the media

perceived that the scientific community was not taking allegations of misconduct in publicly

funded research seriously enough. At the same time, scientists and institutional

administrators tended to regard the publicity as an overreaction to the malfeasance of a very

few of their number, and to worry that any attempts to regulate the investigation of such

cases would harm science as a whole.

In that same year, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) set up the

investigatory Office of Scientific Integrity (OSI) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH),

and a second, review, Office of Scientific Integrity Review (OSIR), within the Office of the

Assistant Secretary for Health. Misconduct in science was defined as:

"...Fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, or other practices that seriously deviate from

those that are commonly accepted within the scientific community for proposing,

conducting, or reporting research. It does not include honest error or honest

differences in interpretations or judgments of data."1 

A procedure was established whereby institutions receiving PHS funds were required to

respond to allegations of misconduct and report their findings to OSI for review and final

disposition. Institutions receiving funds from the PHS were required to adopt the PHS

definition as well as policies and procedures acceptable to the Secretary of HHS. At about

the same time, the National Science Foundation (NSF) promulgated a similar definition for its

grantees; it was augmented in 1991 to include retaliation against good-faith whistleblowers.2

Since 1989, as numerous cases worked their way through the process, research institutions

as well as the federal offices gained experience and expertise in working within the federal

framework. At the same time, dissatisfaction was expressed with the handling of two

prominent cases (those associated with the names of Robert Gallo at NIH and Thereza

Imanishi-Kari in David Baltimore's laboratory).
3

 Aldhous, P. (1991): Trouble for Healy over misconduct office. Science 252: 361. 

4

 Greenberg, D.S. (1991): NIH's bungling goes on in the Baltimore case. Science & Government Rep

1-4.

5

 Greenberg, D.S. (1992): At NIH, a new maelstrom over misconduct. Lancet 338: 301-302.

6

 Greenberg, D.S. (1991): Leaks in the house of science. Lancet 338: 1195-1196.

7

 Hamilton, D.P. (1992): FBI investigates leaks at OSI. Science. 255: 1503.

8

 In 1995 ORI was relocated to the Office of the Secretary, DHHS. For a brief description of the 

function of ORI, see Appendix C.

2

OSI and OSIR were accused of having inconsistent policies, vague rules, and procedures

that were either biased against defendants or illegal. OSI was said to be at once too

aggressive and not aggressive enough; too quick and too slow to close cases.3 It was also

said to be easily influenced, incompetent, and both secretive and leaky.4 5 6 7 Furthermore,

OSI's basic approach, "the scientific dialogue model," devised to keep the process in the

hands of scientists rather than lawyers, was widely criticized as unfair and procedurally

flawed.

To answer these criticisms, DHHS made structural changes in 1992. OSI and OSIR were

merged into the Office of Research Integrity (ORI), outside the NIH but within the DHHS

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health.8 In the same year, procedures were altered to

allow those found guilty to contest the finding with a de novo, trial-like hearing before the

Research Integrity Adjudications Panels (RIAPs) appointed by the Departmental Appeals

Board (DAB). Although the option to include a scientist on these hearing panels was

welcomed by the research community, no one was satisfied with how long the process took.

Since 1992, there has been continuing controversy over definitions, procedures, and

outcomes. For example, sanctions against institutions have been nonexistent or ineffective. 

In addition, accused scientists have not hesitated to fight their cases in court. Further,

whistleblowers, who are essential to bringing many cases of misconduct to light, have

continued to report retaliation from their institutions and those they accuse. Some

whistleblowers have begun to use the False Claims Act, through which they can win a

portion of grant monies they may recover for the Federal Government in the courts. In this

way, they by-pass the designated institutional routes, while institutions object that the very

evidence they have gathered in properly conducted investigations is used against them in

lawsuits.

In short, events since 1989 have revealed widespread dissatisfaction with federal definitions

of misconduct, with the offices and procedures established to deal with allegations against

scientists, and with the migration to the courts of what researchers feel should be a matter of

professional discipline. Dissatisfaction has been voiced alike--although for different reasons-

-by accused scientists, their accusers, research institutions, members of the scientific

community, professional societies, the public, the media, and the Federal Government,

including the Congress.
9

 National Academy of Sciences, Panel on Scientific Responsibility and the Conduct of Researc

Responsible Science: Ensuring the Integrity of the Research Process. Washington, D.C.: National

Academy Press, pp. 13-16. NOTE: This report will be cited as "NAS report" in subsequent references.

3

The principal issues emerging from the debate and addressed by the Commission are the

following:

! The definition of research misconduct: How narrow or broad should the

federal definition be? Specifically, should it include other misconduct beyond

fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism? How should questions about intent and

honest differences in interpretation of data be addressed? How should the line be

drawn between serious and less-serious offenses?

! Process: What process is owed to an accused scientist? At what point should a

scientist be able to confront his or her accuser in a trial-type setting? How can

inherent institutional conflicts of interests and individual biases be mitigated? What

form should an appeals process take, and should the evidence at that point be

limited to that disclosed by review of the record? What sanctions are necessary to

protect the integrity of science, the federal interest in funded research, and the

interests of institutions in which research is conducted? 

! Federal oversight: What assurances regarding the active presence of fair

procedures should the Federal Government require of research institutions to protect

the federal investment in research? What office should review institutional

assurances and findings, having what powers of investigation? What powers should

such an office have to overturn the findings of an institution? What is rightfully in the

interest of the Federal Government?

! Protection of whistleblowers: What rights do whistleblowers have? Should

retaliation against witnesses be punished, and if so, how? How much federal

oversight should there be?

! Prevention: What role should the Federal Government have in evaluating

educational programs and providing outreach and technical assistance to institutions

in efforts to prevent misconduct? How can the scientific community be encouraged

toward greater self-assessment and self-governance?

Members of the Commission have attempted to formulate answers to the preceding

questions in the context of the Commission's driving concern: "What is in the best interest of

the public and science?" The Commission reached its unanimous conclusions (presented in

Section II) after considering extensive testimony by scores of witnesses representing the

spectrum of interested parties, as well as review of a broad sample of the relevant literature. 

Despite differences in goals and methods, there is considerable consistency between the

Commission's recommendations and those reached in the 1992 National Academy of

Sciences (NAS) report, Responsible Science.

9
4

This is a blank page.
5

Commission Deliberations and

Recommendations

Promoting and Maintaining Research Integrity:

A Shared Responsibility

Who is responsible for promoting and maintaining research integrity? The Commission on

Research Integrity endorses the concept that individual scientists, research institutions, and

professional societies bear primary responsibility for the integrity of science, the legitimacy of

scientific practices, and the investigation and response to cases of alleged research

misconduct. Institutions and units within them that train and hire investigators are

responsible for selecting, socializing, educating, supervising, and disciplining research

scientists. This responsibility must be shared, however, by professional societies and the

journals that review and publish results of research. Any activity of the Federal Government

in this domain should support and complement the institutional role, and federal intervention

should occur only when institutions fail to fulfill their responsibilities.

With this perspective in mind, the Commission, in keeping with its charge, focused primarily

on the Federal Government's role in ensuring the integrity of PHS-funded research. The

Commission believes that a federal presence is and will continue to be needed to protect the

federal interest in funded research and in public health. Furthermore, federal intervention is

specifically required when misconduct allegations concern research studies that span

multiple institutions. The Federal Government's role should also include stimulating the best

efforts of all members of the scientific community to create an environment conducive to

research integrity and, in its own intramural laboratories, serving as an exemplar of research

integrity. Finally, a federal presence can protect the rights of whistleblowers and

respondents who, for a variety of reasons, believe that their local institution cannot or did not

provide a fair forum for examining misconduct allegations.

After assessing current federal oversight activities, the Commission proposed changes

intended to focus and strengthen the contributions of DHHS to research integrity--without

imposing undue burden on institutions, individual scientists or, for that matter, on federal

oversight mechanisms. The Commission devoted particular attention to ways to enhance

nonfederal responsibility for promoting and maintaining research integrity. As noted above,

it attaches great importance to the educational responsibilities of research institutions and of

professional and scientific associations in creating and preserving research environments

that foster the ethical conduct of science.

In making its recommendations, the Commission made a concerted effort to minimize the

need for additional regulatory activities. However, implementing some of its

recommendations will, of necessity, require new federal regulations. Recommendations that

address issues involving
6

compliance with or changes to current federal regulations related to research misconduct

and professional misconduct include:

! A new definition of research misconduct (see IIB); 

! A change in the existing institutional misconduct assurance to require educational

programs on the responsible conduct of research for recipients of PHS research

grants and all researchers, students, fellows, research technicians, and others

supported by these grants (see IIC);

! An approach for identifying obstruction of research misconduct investigations--

including retaliation against whistleblowers--as an actionable offense (see IIB and

IID);

! A foundation for dealing more effectively with individuals who fail to comply with

research regulations regarding matters such as human subjects, the humane

treatment of animals, and safe handling of biohazardous materials. The Commission

expects that implementation of this recommendation will make noncompliance an

actionable offense within research institutions, and it expects improved coordination

among agencies and offices in achieving compliance (see IIB).

The Commission hopes that the Secretary of HHS, in implementing these recommendations,

will keep the regulations simple and will delegate as much responsibility to individual

institutions as is reasonably possible.

Definition of Research Misconduct and Other

Professional Misconduct

Introduction: Considerations in Reaching a Definition of Research

Misconduct and Other Professional Misconduct

Defining the Federal Interest

The Federal Government's interest in research misconduct stems from its funding of

research and, in the biomedical sphere, its interest in the collective health of the citizenry. 

To protect the quality of our Nation's scientific enterprise, some research agencies of the

Federal Government have developed definitions and procedures for addressing misconduct

in research. A definition of research misconduct provides vital guidance for personal and

ethical judgments and decisions concerning the professional behavior of scientists. It also

provides a legal framework for formal proceedings. Any such definition to be used in the

context of federal research funding must rest upon a clear statement of the federal interest.

A federal research agency must refuse to fund researchers who have engaged in certain

actions, or deny them participation as reviewers, or place conditions on their applying for or

using its funds. A research misconduct regulation enables the Federal Government to take 
10 One unintended consequence is confusion because federal agencies differently enforce an

their respective definitions. This issue is addressed in recommendation #2 (see Section F, Summary of

Recommendations). 

11 NAS report, p. 5.; PHS Advisory Committee on Research Integrity, Transcripts of March 7, 1992 a

1992, meetings.

12 National Science Foundation (1991): Misconduct in science and engineering: Final rule. Fed

Register 56 (May 14): 22286-90.

7

such actions when research-related misconduct occurs in connection with proposals and

awards. Given these considerations, the Commission sought to write a definition that would

include all research-related behaviors that are serious enough to require a federal agency to

take action.

The Current PHS Definition

The current definition of "misconduct in science" used by the Public Health Service has

elicited extensive criticism from many sides and on many grounds since its adoption in 1989. 

The PHS definition has been criticized for being at once too narrow and too broad, as well as

for being too vague. Some of the perceived deficiencies stem from the wording of the

definition, and others from the interpretations and implementation by ORI and its

predecessor agencies. A vocal segment of the scientific community favors a definition

based on, or even limited to, falsification and fabrication of data and plagiarism. Still others

argue for a broader view of misconduct, pointing to various types of misconduct that they

believe significantly affect the integrity of research but fall outside an overly narrow

definition.

To address these issues, the Commission on Research Integrity was charged with

developing a new DHHS definition. Commission members recognized from the outset that

because of the Federal Government's extensive role in funding research, any definition it

adopts to protect federal interests in research is likely to have far-reaching consequences for

the scientific community.10 Thus, changes in such definitions should not be adopted lightly.

Responding to its definitional challenge was a major focus of the Commission's work. 

Commission members assessed extensive testimony and written commentary related to the

strengths and weaknesses of the current PHS definition and ways to improve it, including

alternatives proposed by other deliberative bodies.11 They also examined definitions

currently in use by other federal agencies outside the PHS.12 At its hearings, the

Commission discussed all these alternatives with their proponents and with members of the

research community.

Commission Deliberations

This section discusses the many considerations weighed by the Commission in fulfilling that

part of its charge requiring it to recommend a new definition of research misconduct.
13 For further discussion, see Appendix D.

14 For example, "fraud" indicates some kind of deception, while not all kinds of research misco

as tampering with experiments--are deceptions.

15 NAS report, pp 27-28.

16 NAS report, pp. 27-8.

8

"Research misconduct" vs. "research fraud": An early issue addressed by the

Commission was whether to use the term "research misconduct" or "research fraud" in its

recommendation. In common law, "fraud" typically encompasses elements that are often not 

present in the acts the definition would deter and punish.13 The Commission was assured by

legal experts that the term "fraud" could be used without invoking those legal provisions. 

Nonetheless, to avoid the potential confusion the term "research fraud" might elicit,14 the

Commission chose to use the term "research misconduct." That choice was made knowing

that some may believe the term does not sufficiently indicate the seriousness of the offenses

it defines.

After choosing the term to be encompassed by its recommended definition, the Commission

examined deficiencies in the current PHS definition.

Fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism: Despite the preference of the National

Academy of Sciences panel for a narrow and precise definition centered upon "fabrication,

falsification, and plagiarism (FFP),"15 the Commission learned in its work that "FFP" is neither

narrow nor precise. The current FFP definition covers a wide range of intellectual property

and data-handling offenses, as well as misrepresentations of all sorts, without providing

standards that indicate which of these actions warrant federal action. The constituent

elements of FFP are variously interpreted because they are not defined within the current

PHS definition. The breadth and vagueness of the definition are not widely understood in

the scientific community, which takes false comfort from the presumed precision and

narrowness of the terms.

At the same time, the current PHS definition does not encompass conduct outside the scope

of FFP that can significantly impair the integrity of research supported by federal funds. 

Thus, unethical actions directly related to the conduct of federally funded research that are

not covered by other regulations or laws are effectively outside the reach of federal

sanctions. Furthermore, in the many situations in which research institutions adopt the

federal definition without modification, it leaves those actions outside the scope of

institutional reach as well.

The NAS panel "...did not reach final consensus on whether additional flexibility was needed

to address as misconduct in science other practices of an egregious character similar to

fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism." The panel noted, "These issues deserve further

consideration by the scientific research community to determine whether the panel's

definition of misconduct in science is flexible enough to include all or most actions that

directly damage the integrity of the research process and that were undertaken with the

intent to deceive."16
9

Building on the work of the NAS panel, and in light of its own examination of FFP, the

Commission concluded that some additional elements were required; they are incorporated

into the Commission's proposed definition. One example is sabotage of research. The
10

Commission examined the factual basis for assertions that laws against vandalism are

adequate to cover such situations. It learned that they are not adequate if tangible property

is not damaged or if other procedural and technical legal requirements--which vary by

jurisdiction--are not met. Thus, the Commission concluded that such laws are inadequate to

protect the integrity of research, and that such cases should be specifically addressed in a

recommended federal definition.

 

The "other practices that seriously deviate" clause: In the current PHS definition,

the clause "or other practices that seriously deviate from those that are commonly accepted

within the scientific community for proposing, conducting, and reporting research" is intended

to address serious misconduct that violates the ethical standards of the research community

but is not encompassed by FFP. This "other practices" clause has been heavily criticized by

some members of the scientific community on the grounds that it might be used to punish

creative or novel science. However, no case has occurred in which an agency has

attempted to treat novel research as misconduct, and definitions of this type, which appeal to

standards accepted in certain professional groups without stating them, are, in fact,

frequently used in federal regulations.

A second objection concerns the vagueness of the "other practices" clause, which does not

indicate the specific actions that might elicit sanctions. This concern, coupled with the first,

convinced the Commission that it should not include the clause in its proposed definition. 

The Commission did, however, examine carefully cases that might fall under the clause to

determine if specific offenses should be itemized in a federal definition. As a result of this

examination, "interference" is included within the proposed definition of research misconduct,

and a distinction is made between "research misconduct" and "other forms of professional

misconduct related to research" (i.e., obstruction of investigations and noncompliance with

research regulations). The Commission views the "other forms of professional misconduct"

as types of professional misconduct that may require federal action because of their

damaging effects, although they lack sufficient involvement with the performance of research

to be called "research misconduct."

Type of definition: The Commission chose to cast its proposed definition in the form of

"leading principles with examples" after considering carefully other possibilities, particularly a

"list of offenses" approach. It rejected the latter approach on the grounds that it is neither

possible nor desirable to make an exhaustive list of all conduct that could pose a serious

threat to the integrity of federally funded research. Such a list is likely to omit some

significant type of misconduct that should be covered. It also can become legalistic and

unwieldy, and it may appear to be arbitrary unless some guiding concept is given to explain

what is and is not included in the definition.

The Commission based its definition on the fundamental principle that scientists be truthful

and fair in the conduct of research and the dissemination of research results. It then listed

outstanding examples of this central idea, leaving it to the evolution of ethical standards and

"case law" to discover whether actions not on that list meet the requirement for consideration

as "misbehavior" that seriously undermines the integrity of science. The examples it

selected are significant misbehavior that improperly appropriates intellectual property or

contributions of others, that intentionally impedes the progress of research, or that risks

corrupting the scientific
17 The record encompasses any documentation or presentation of research, oral or written, 

unpublished.

11

record17 or compromising the integrity of scientific practices. The misrepresentation,

interference, and misappropriation (MIM) categories of research misconduct are intended to

encompass these items.

Supporting the federal role: The Commission recognized that although the primary

responsibility for dealing with research misconduct rests with research institutions, its task

was to propose a definition that could be used by a federal agency that supports research. 

Thus, the definition must distinguish misconduct in research from those undesirable actions

that would concern any federal agency that distributes federal funds, and those undesirable

actions by a scientist that do not affect his or her work as a scientist. It must also distinguish

the Federal Government's interest in research misconduct and other forms of professional

misconduct from the concerns of institutions and professional societies.

Communicating clearly and effectively to intended users: An effective system for

responding to allegations of misconduct in research requires a clear understanding of the

interests and roles of all participants in the scientific enterprise. They include the public, the

Federal Government, other funding agencies, institutions where research is conducted,

individual researchers, their professional societies and organizations, and the journals in

which the results of research are published. The Commission has tried to address the

concerns of these constituencies.

In meeting the needs of the scientific community, a definition concerning unacceptable

conduct in research must be clearly stated, and framed so that individual scientists can

understand and accept it as it applies to them, and can take part in resolving alleged cases

of misconduct in their institutions.

A new definition also must be understandable and usable by grantee institutions, some of

which copy the federal definition directly into their own policies. All institutions that accept

PHS funds must administer the federal definition when misconduct allegations arise among

individuals receiving such support.

Meeting both scientific and legal requirements: The Commission's definition

attempts to bridge the awkward intersection of two professional perspectives--the scientific

and the legal--each with its own language, values, and requirements. The first is

predominant in the beginning of research misconduct procedures, and the second becomes

increasingly prominent when cases progress through more formal procedures and eventually

involve federal adjudication proceedings (such as those of the Research Integrity

Adjudications Panels appointed by the DHHS Departmental Appeals Board) or the court

system. Thus, in framing its definition, the Commission chose to describe specific kinds of

misconduct in legally enforceable language.

Both lawyers and scientists recognize that the Federal Government should respond to

allegations of research misconduct only in sufficiently serious cases (e.g., those that involve
12

allegations of serious infractions that undermine the integrity of research). The

Commission's
18 NAS report, p. 54.

13

proposed definition addresses this issue in several ways. First, it explicitly incorporates the

seriousness requirement, rather than invoking it indirectly, as does the present definition

through the phrase "or other practices that seriously deviate" (emphasis added). Second,

the fundamental principle defining research misconduct is explained in terms of serious

violations of the obligations of researchers to be truthful and fair. Third, research misconduct

is defined as "significant misbehavior" with four specific effects upon research. Fourth,

explicit standards for the level of intent are provided for each included violation.

In sum, the proposed definition continues the seriousness requirement, but makes it explicit. 

Assessments of seriousness--that is, whether any given case meets the requirements of the

definition--must continue to be made on a case-by-case basis.

Scientists and lawyers also recognize that a scientist should not be penalized for unintended

and unforeseeable outcomes if that person acted as an ordinarily prudent person would, and

with an acceptable level of care; this issue is also addressed in the "intent" part of the

definition. Both lawyers and scientists recognize, further, that the scientific process

inherently involves making mistakes. Errors are not research misconduct and should not be

punished as such; the Commission's research misconduct definition makes that clear.

Misappropriation: The Commission's proposed definition replaces the undefined word

"plagiarism" in the current federal definition with the defined term "misappropriation." In

choosing the scope of its definition of misappropriation, the Commission was guided by the

NAS report, Responsible Science, which states that plagiarism is: 

". . . using the ideas or words or another without giving appropriate credit. Plagiarism

includes the unacknowledged use of text and ideas from published work, as well as

the misuse of privileged information obtained through confidential review of research

proposals and manuscripts."18

The Commission's two-part definition of misappropriation tracks the NAS panel's

recommendations directly, but uses the term "misappropriation" to emphasize that the

proscribed misconduct is broader than most of the commonly used definitions of plagiarism. 

In its work, the Commission identified instances in which alleged cases of plagiarism among

and between collaborators that would be deemed "significant misappropriation" in the

proposed definition--and would fall within the jurisdiction of the Office of Research Integrity--

were previously dismissed by ORI as mere "authorship disputes" or "collaborative disputes."

Interference: As described above, the Commission adopted "interference" as an element

of research misconduct to address situations in which a person's research is seriously

compromised by the intentional and unauthorized taking, sequestering, or damaging of

property he or she is using in the conduct of research. The Commission believes such

interfering acts are antithetical to integrity in research and should be placed within the

definition of research misconduct rather than be left for litigation under State tort laws

dealing with acts of vandalism. It is important to emphasize that misconduct allegations in

this area require 
14

proof that a person has acted without authority and in violation of another person's

ownership or possessory interests in the property.

Misrepresentation: The Commission's proposed definition replaces the undefined words

"falsification" and "fabrication" with the defined term "misrepresentation." The definition has

two essential parts: first, a material or significant false statement or an omission that

significantly distorts the truth; and second, a culpable mental state. The definition

consciously excludes the common law fraud elements of reliance, causation, and damages,

which are unnecessary--indeed inappropriate--in the context of research misconduct. 

Consistent with interpretations of current law, the Commission believes that, to qualify as

research misconduct, an erroneous statement must be made with an intent to deceive. This

element is more explicit and more helpful analytically than the statement in the current

definition that says, "It does not include honest error or honest differences in interpretations

or judgments of data." The current phrase fails to identify or define what is dishonest and

fails to tell the decision maker what is required to reach a finding of misconduct.

An intent to deceive is often difficult to prove; proof almost always relies on circumstantial

evidence, which can, however, include an analysis of the behavior of the person accused of

misconduct. One commonly accepted principle, adopted by the Commission, is that an

intent to deceive may be inferred from a person's acting in reckless disregard for the truth. 

Conduct that is merely careless or inadvertent is not included in the Commission's proposed

definition of research misconduct. However, the Commission intends that such careless

conduct continue to be addressed in the high standards of grant application review and in

institutional and professional standards for appointment, promotion, publication, and other

incentives.

The Commission does not suggest any modification in the Federal Government's use of the

preponderance of the evidence standard in research misconduct cases.

Finally, the Commission's definition sets the standard for federal agency enforcement. The

Commission hopes that the definition will not only be adopted by DHHS, but will serve as the

basis for interagency discussion leading to consistent misconduct policies and procedures

among all federal agencies that support science. The sanctionable behaviors defined and

elaborated here are not intended to limit or define comprehensively the oversight role of

academic and research institutions, which are free to adopt more demanding standards.

In sum, the new definition introduces an ethical approach to behavior rather than serving as

vehicle for containing or expanding the basis for blame or legal action. It specifies offenses

that by themselves constitute research misconduct. These are identified as misappropriation,

interference, and misrepresentation, each a form of dishonesty or unfairness that, if

sufficiently serious, violates the ethical principles on which the definition is based. Appendix

D further explains these offenses, their significance in comparison with alternative

approaches, and how and why they differ from offenses in the current definition.
19 The Commission does not suggest that other forms of misconduct, such as financial impro

not of serious concern. It has limited its definitional recommendations, however, to areas that are

related to the conduct of research.

20 The record encompasses any documentation or presentation of research, oral or written, 

unpublished.

15

Recommendation:

The Commission recommends that the Secretary replace the existing definition of

misconduct in science19 with the definition of research misconduct and definitions of

other forms of professional misconduct related to research, to follow. The definition of

research misconduct is based on the premise that research misconduct is serious

violation of the fundamental principle that scientists be truthful and fair in the conduct

of research and the dissemination of its results.

The Federal Government has an interest in professional misconduct involving the use

of federal funds in research, as covered by the following definitions:

1. Research Misconduct

Research misconduct is significant misbehavior that improperly appropriates

the intellectual property or contributions of others, that intentionally impedes

the progress of research, or that risks corrupting the scientific record20 or

compromising the integrity of scientific practices. Such behaviors are unethical

and unacceptable in proposing, conducting, or reporting research, or in

reviewing the proposals or research reports of others.

Examples of research misconduct include but are not limited to the following:

Misappropriation: An investigator or reviewer shall not intentionally or

recklessly 

a. plagiarize, which shall be understood to mean the presentation of the

documented words or ideas of another as his or her own, without

attribution appropriate for the medium of presentation; or

b. make use of any information in breach of any duty of confidentiality

associated with the review of any manuscript or grant application. 

Interference: An investigator or reviewer shall not intentionally and without

authorization take or sequester or materially damage any research-related

property of another, including without limitation the apparatus, reagents,

biological materials, writings, data, hardware, software, or any other substance

or device used or produced in the conduct of research.

Misrepresentation: An investigator or reviewer shall not with intent to

deceive, or in reckless disregard for the truth,
16

a. state or present a material or significant falsehood; or
17

b. omit a fact so that what is stated or presented as a whole states or

presents a material or significant falsehood.

Free scientific inquiry naturally includes proposing hypotheses that may ultimately prove to

be false, offering interpretations of data that conflict with other interpretations, and making

scientific observations and analyses that may prove to be in error. The Commission's

recommendations pose no threat to such inquiry, which is essential to the advancement of

science.

The sanctionable behaviors defined and elaborated here are not intended to limit or define

comprehensively the oversight role of academic and research institutions, which are free to

adopt more demanding standards.

2. Other Forms of Professional Misconduct

a. Obstruction of Investigations of Research Misconduct

The Federal Government has an important interest in protecting the integrity of

investigations into reported incidents of research misconduct. Accordingly,

obstruction of investigations of research misconduct related to federal funding

constitutes a form of professional misconduct in that it undermines the interests

of the public, the scientific community, and the Federal Government.

Obstruction of investigations of research misconduct consists of intentionally

withholding or destroying evidence in violation of a duty to disclose or preserve;

falsifying evidence; encouraging, soliciting or giving false testimony; and

attempting to intimidate or retaliate against witnesses, potential witnesses, or

potential leads to witnesses or evidence before, during, or after the

commencement of any formal or informal proceeding.

b. Noncompliance with Research Regulations

Responsible conduct in research includes compliance with applicable federal

research regulations. Such regulations include (but are not limited to) those

governing the use of biohazardous materials and human and animal subjects in

research.

Serious noncompliance with such regulations after notice of their existence

undermines the interests of the public, the scientific community, and the Federal

Government and constitutes another form of professional misconduct.

The Commission's proposed definition of research misconduct and definitions of other forms

of professional misconduct related to research will reach their full meaning when tested with

real-world experience, cases, and commentaries. The Commission is relying on professional

societies, research institutions, science ethics scholars, and case law to develop the

interpretive context.
18
21 NAS report, Recommendation #5, p.14.

19

Uniform Federal Definition

In common with other observers, most particularly the NAS report, Responsible Science,”21

the Commission is aware of the intense need to coordinate and unify the efforts and

activities of federal agencies related to research integrity and research misconduct. It is

wasteful and confusing to subject individual investigators and their research institutions to

inconsistent federal definitions and policies issued by different federal research sponsors.

Recommendation:

The Commission recommends that:

! The Secretary encourage an interagency task force to develop a common

federal definition of research misconduct and other forms of professional

misconduct related to research.

Education and Standards for Research Integrity

Research institutions, professional societies, and the Federal Government share with

individual scientists in the task of ensuring integrity in research funded by the Public Health

Service. The Commission examined critical aspects of their individual roles, and, as

presented below, developed specific recommendations intended to strengthen the unique

contributions of each to research integrity.

Role of Research Institutions and the Federal Government

Introduction

A deep commitment to scientific integrity is best achieved by providing sound training in

scientific practices and the ethical conduct of science, and by creating institutional and

professional environments that reinforce the high standards addressed in that training. 

Ideally, this educational process should begin early in the training of future scientists and

continue through the most senior career stages.

In scientific research, no formal process exists for reviewing questions about the scientific

integrity of individuals and assessing and periodically renewing their professional

membership and privileges in the scientific community. Thus, academic institutions bear

particular responsibility for maintaining high professional standards.

The Commission believes that a positive ethical example set by a research supervisor or

mentor in a laboratory or other research setting provides a powerful learning experience. 
22 The Commission is not alone in recognizing this primacy. See NAS report, pp. 13-15.

23 See, for example, guidelines developed by the NIH intramural research program, Harvard Med

the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and the University of California, San Francisco.

24 See also NAS report Recommendation #2, p.13.

20

However, given the size, complexity, and at times impersonality of many training

environments, other mechanisms are also needed to ensure that high ethical standards and

exemplary scientific practices are clearly and credibly communicated and fostered. 

Institutions, professional societies, and the Federal Government all have important roles to

play in creating and reinforcing these mechanisms.

Research institutions with good standards of conduct are the backbone of research

integrity.22 At their best, they provide an educational environment that, both in form and in

content, fosters the highest standards of research and ethical behavior. Essential elements

of this role include:

! Developing and disseminating specific guidelines for good scientific practices; and

! Providing formal and informal educational opportunities to sensitize both junior and

senior scientists to critical issues in research ethics and their institution's guidelines.

Commission members heard testimony and read reports suggesting that there is

considerable variation in how extensively and how well institutions now fulfill these roles. 

The Commission has sought to encourage institutions to strengthen their efforts without

federal intervention or requirements. It has attempted to minimize administrative burdens

while encouraging both federal research sponsors and grantee institutions to fulfill their

responsibility for maintaining the public's trust in research and for assuring that such

research conforms to the highest scientific and ethical standards.

Developing and Disseminating Guidelines for Good Scientific Practices: The

Commission believes that institutional guidelines on data management and retention,

authorship, and on supervision of students, fellows, and technicians are of paramount

importance because they clarify for every member of the research environment the

professional practices expected of them. Some research institutions have already

developed such guidelines.23

The Commission initially considered recommending that institutions be required to submit to

the PHS an assurance that they have developed specific practice guidelines (standards)

pertaining to these issues. After further deliberation, the Commission decided that ongoing

educational programs offer the best way to stimulate institutional awareness of research

integrity issues.24 Consequently, as described below, it recommends that the existing PHS

research integrity assurance requirement be expanded, but only to require of institutions an

educational program on the responsible conduct of research. Institutions are, however,

strongly encouraged to develop practice guidelines, as some have already done. 
25 Examples include: AAMC Subcommittee on Teaching Research Ethics of the AAMC Ad Hoc Com

Misconduct and Conflict of Interest in Research (1994): Teaching the Responsible Conduct of Resear

through a Case Study Approach: A Handbook for Instructors. Washington, D.C.: Association of

American Medical Colleges; Friedman, P.J. (Ed.) (1993): Integrity in Biomedical Research. Academic Medici

Supplement; Benditt, J. (Ed.) (1995): "Conduct in Science: A Special News Report"Science 268: 1705-1718. 

26 For a brief discussion of the structure and function of ORI, see Appendix C.

27 42 C.F.R. Part 50, Subpart A.

28 Ibid., p.162.

21

The Commission did not recommend specific standards to be adopted by institutions

because it recognizes that each institution must tailor programs to its particular needs. An

additional consideration was to limit the burden on institutions of compliance and the

potential for inappropriate expansion of federal oversight.

Providing Education in the Responsible Conduct of Research: Since late 1992,

the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have required that all institutions receiving NIH training

grants offer programs in research integrity for trainees funded by institutional training grants. 

Anecdotal reports suggest that this policy has met with a positive response from many

students and faculty. A notable recent increase in the professional literature related to

research integrity may reflect growing awareness of and interest in ethical issues in research

stimulated in part by the NIH training requirement.25

The Commission believes that, on balance, this required educational activity is essential and

should be more broadly implemented to ensure that, through such training, all individuals

who perform research in institutional settings are sensitized to the ethical issues inherent in

research. At present, the training is required only of recipients of institutional training grants,

and does not reach all graduate, professional, and postdoctoral students or more senior

researchers and other members of research groups, such as technicians. The Commission

strongly believes that all of these individuals would benefit from participation. Providing such

training is an important step toward creating a positive research environment that stresses

the achievement of research integrity more than the avoidance of research misconduct. 

Current policy governing PHS research funding requires each institution to submit an

assurance to the Office of Research Integrity (ORI)26 declaring that: (a) the institution has an

administrative process for handling allegations of research misconduct and that it complies

with the Public Health Service regulation;27 and (b) the institution will follow its own policy

and applicable regulatory requirements when responding to allegations of research

misconduct.

The same regulation requires institutions to "foster a research environment that discourages

misconduct in all research..."28 However, institutions are not required by regulation to

provide assurances regarding their efforts to promote research integrity, nor are there formal

requirements of individual scientists.

In the Commission's view, expanding the existing PHS assurance is the most reliable and

institutionally effective--yet least burdensome and intrusive--way to broaden the scope of
22

research integrity training and to buttress research integrity. Although this assurance

program 
29 Reminder and Update: Requirement for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research

Research Service Award Institutional Training Grants. NIH Guide 21 (43), November 27, 1992.

30 See, for example,"Guidelines for the Conduct of Research within the Public Health Service," a

publication of the DHHS Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health.

31 See NAS report, pp. 128-144.

23

will carry additional costs for institutions, the Commission believes they will be offset by the

benefits to education, training, and research practices. The Commission specifically seeks

to encourage self-regulation by institutions and individual scientists; if self-regulation

succeeds, expansion of the federal role would be minimized.

Recommendations:

The Commission recommends that the Secretary: 

! Require that each institution applying for or receiving a grant, contract, or

cooperative agreement under the Public Health Service Act for research or

research training add to its existing misconduct-in-science assurance a third

declaration, one certifying that the institution has an educational program on the

responsible conduct of research. Through this mechanism, the current NIH

research integrity education requirement,29 now limited to recipients of

institutional training grants at NIH funded institutions, would be augmented by

an assurance applied to all individuals supported by PHS research funds.

! The proposed research integrity education assurance should be implemented in

the following manner: The assurance should be included in the checklist that

accompanies every PHS research or training grant application. The institutional

official's signature would signify the institution's compliance with the assurance. 

In addition, the application would state clearly that the signature of the scientist

submitting the application signifies that he/she is familiar with (a) the

institution's policies and procedures regarding scientific misconduct; and (b)

the institution's educational program on the responsible conduct of research.

The specific content of educational programs on the responsible conduct of research should

be at the discretion of each institution, and tailored to that institution's configuration and

culture. However, programs should include discussion of areas in which problems are

known to arise, such as supervision of trainees; data management; publication practices;

authorship; peer review of privileged information;30 conflicts of interest or commitment;

integrity issues in clinical and epidemiological research; whistleblower rights and

responsibilities, including their right to be protected from retaliation; and responsibilities and

procedures for reporting suspected misconduct.31

Institutions that have not already done so should develop educational programs related to

research integrity that range from laboratory meetings to institution-wide events. All
24

individuals engaged in research or research supervision should participate regularly in these

programs.
32 Rennie, D. (1989) Editors and auditors. JAMA 261: 2543-2545; Rennie, D. (1989): Let's do an experiment

AAAS Observer, 6 January 1989.

33 Shamoo, A.E. (1988): We need data audit. AAAS Observer, 4 November, 1988.

34 Glick, J.L. (1976): Reflections and speculations on the regulation of molecular genetic resear

of the New York Academy of Sciences 265: 178-192. 

35 Because this audit would be undertaken solely to establish the prevalence of research misc

not to detect dishonest scientists, it should be confidential and its results reported in the aggrega

would be used to inform institutions' decisions about monitoring and enhancing the quality of re

36 S. Bird, testimony to Commission on Research Integrity, January 5, 1995.

25

The Secretary should also encourage:

! Integration of the explicit teaching of the ethics of science into the classroom,

laboratory, and other research sites in precollegiate education as well as in

undergraduate and graduate schools; and

! Funding for scholarship, teaching, and research in science ethics. Such funded

research should include an experimental audit of the prevalence of data

misrepresentation.32 33 34 35

Role of Professional Societies and Codes of Ethics

Because of their obligation to their membership and the scientific community at large to

protect scientific integrity, professional societies are responsible for articulating, fostering,

and maintaining standards of responsible conduct in scientific research. The Commission

commends professional societies' existing activities that foster these ends, and recommends

that they continue and strengthen their efforts.

Testimony to the Commission by members of professional organizations, including both

single-discipline and multidisciplinary groups, has underscored both the diversity of these

societies and their potential importance in encouraging research integrity and preventing

research misconduct.36 The Commission is particularly concerned with three aspects of their

role: (a) setting explicit standards for professional research practices; (b) enforcing those

standards among society members; and (c) actively advocating for and educating members

and potential members through preparation and dissemination of educational materials

related to ethical behavior.

Codes of ethics should provide clear statements of norms of practice. When matters are

ambiguous or appear to go awry, codes can offer a standard by which people can check

their practices or help to resolve ambiguities and proceed in the pursuit of scientific integrity. 

As societies move to adopt or develop codes of ethics in research, they could choose to

address the following areas: conflict of interest; responsibility to society; authorship;

responsibility to expose misconduct; peer review; mentoring or supervision; management of

data; discrimination and harassment; humane treatment of animals; responsibilities to

patients; 
37 The first 10 items were found in one study to appear frequently in the codes of 36 scientific

Bird, presentation to Commission on Research Integrity, January 5, 1995); the remaining items were add

Commission.

26

competence in research methods; knowledge of the definition of misconduct; transmission of

values--including fostering collegial trust and sharing--to scientists in training; and

nonretaliation against witnesses.37

Recommendation:

The Commission recommends that:

! Professional societies each adopt a code of ethics in research and encourage

their members to use these codes as a framework for considering emerging

ethical issues in science. In addition, professional societies should consider

initiating activities that will further promote the ethical conduct of research and

professionalism in science.

To promote professionalism in science, it is suggested that societies adopt a statement

about integrity and misconduct in research, and teach scientific integrity through

conferences, seminars, workshops, and classes at all educational levels. Societies might

further develop educational and programmatic materials, such as cases, scenarios, and

interpretive commentary, and more generally foster scholarship and empirical research in

research ethics. Some societies may elect to develop model standards for their particular

disciplines, to share with other disciplines regarding, for example, supervisory

responsibilities, authorship, data management, peer review, and conflict of interest.

To promote self-regulation in science, it is suggested that professional societies develop

rosters of professionals from which institutions can draw unbiased members for investigatory

and adjudicatory bodies that consider allegations of misconduct. Societies might also

consider making their membership term-limited and conditionally renewable, with

membership explicitly stated to be incompatible with participation in actions that have elicited

or would elicit federal sanctions for research misconduct. Finally, societies that have

journals might encourage the publication of articles on research ethics and criteria for

responsible authorship and publication practices.

Editors of scientific journals have a duty to report allegations of misconduct to the relevant

institutions; to assist in the resolution of allegations of misconduct; and, where appropriate,

to correct the literature by publishing retractions that are clearly linked to the original

fraudulent publications and that state the reasons for retraction.

Authorship

The Commission heard many examples of the conflicts that can and do arise as a result of

disputes over authorship. Such conflicts can generally be avoided if researchers have early

and frequent discussions on the allocation of authorship and intellectual property. Those
27

conflicts that do arise can be handled more effectively if institutions have a mechanism in

place 
38 U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board (1981): Whistleblowing and the Federal Employee: 

Blowing the Whistle on Fraud, Waste, and Mismanagement--Who Does It and What Happens?

Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.

39 U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board (1984): Blowing the Whistle in the Federal Government: 

A Comparative Analysis of 1980 and 1983 Survey Findings. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing

Office.

40 U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board (1993): Whistleblowing in the Federal Government: An

Update. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.

41 Lubalin, J.S., Ardini, M.E., and Matheson, J.L. "Consequences of Whistleblowing for the Whistle

Misconduct in Science Cases: Final Report." Unpublished. Submitted to ORI by Research Triangle Insti

No. 282-92-0045, October 2, 1995.

42 This concern was shared by the NAS panel; see NAS report Recommendation #11, pp 15-16.

28

for responding to them. The Commission encourages institutions, professional societies,

and journals to develop, disseminate, and discuss policies governing authorship.

Responsible Whistleblowing

Introduction

The scientific endeavor requires creating and maintaining an environment in which goodfaith questions about the integrity of scientific information or methods can be raised without

penalty, and in which such issues are reviewed objectively and impartially. The scientific

community's response to questions about the validity of research should be consonant with

these goals and processes. Neither the scientific community nor the public can afford to let

secrecy in misconduct cases shield scientists from accountability.

Whistleblowers in research--those who raise questions that lead to concerns about the

integrity of research--have at times found themselves penalized and retaliated against by the

individuals they question, by their colleagues, and by their institutions, rather than being

recognized for their effort. The Commission heard testimony and reviewed documentation

confirming that good-faith whistleblowers are not always as protected as they should be.

Whistleblowers provided extensive testimony to the Commission alleging destructive and

painful retaliation they had experienced in response to their allegations of research

misconduct. The public record demonstrates that good-faith whistleblowers, some publicly

vindicated, have experienced harm or ruin to their professional careers through threats,

censorship, physical isolation, retaliatory investigations, accusations of racial bias or of the

very misconduct they challenged, academic expulsion, denial of access to their data and

laboratories, and even threatened deportation or physical injury.38 39 40 41 The research

community must squarely address this issue.42

Members of the scientific community with knowledge of research misconduct have an ethical

responsibility to come forward. But few are likely to fulfill this responsibility in the absence of

a system that provides a fair review of concerns and effective protection from retaliation. 
29
43 See Recommendations #3 and 4, Section F. 

30

To strengthen whistleblower protection, the Commission has taken several steps:

a. It has developed a Whistleblower's Bill of Rights (see Section 2 below), which is intended

to encourage institutions to treat good-faith whistleblowers fairly, shield them from retaliation,

and articulate the responsibilities of any individual who accuses another of research

misconduct.

b. During the Commission's tenure, the Office of Research Integrity, in consultation with the

Commission, developed institutional guidelines to protect whistleblowers against retaliation. 

The draft guidelines proposed by ORI (Appendix E) support the principles articulated in the

Whistleblower's Bill of Rights, below. The final regulation that is required by law should

ensure these principles.

c. In its proposed definition of research misconduct and other forms of professional

misconduct, the Commission has stated clearly that obstruction of investigations of research

misconduct is a major concern of the Federal Government--a step that provides an explicit

foundation for the protection of whistleblowers. The Commission also recommends

strengthening the capacity of ORI/DHHS to respond to instances of alleged retaliation

against whistleblowers and institutional complicity in or indifference to such retaliation.

An issue repeatedly raised by whistleblowers who risked retaliation is the absence of an

independent, credible forum free from inherent institutional conflicts of interest, providing

them with a right to develop the record and seek corrective action on their concerns. During

its deliberations, the Commission considered the potential roles of an independent advocate

or ombudsperson for whistleblowers at the institutional level. Members failed to agree,

however, that individuals with such a narrow focus of concern would improve matters

sufficiently, either for whistleblowers or for scientific research in general, to warrant

recommendation. The Commission nonetheless endorses the broad role of ombudspersons

as a source of improved communication, useful information, and reduced interpersonal strife.

The Commission believes that the best protection for whistleblowers and witnesses lies not

in federal regulation, but in an institutional culture that is committed to integrity in research. 

To establish such a culture, committed institutional leadership is an essential component. 

Institutional commitment expedites good-faith resolution of disputes over alleged research

misconduct and helps to prevent prolonged adversarial proceedings.

Each institution must accept responsibility for adopting a structure and procedures that

protect the rights summarized below. This responsibility includes implementing the

Commission's recommended assurance on research integrity education.43

Recommendation:

The Commission recommends that the Secretary develop regulations guaranteeing the

standards expressed in the following statement of principles:
31
44 The Commission on Research Integrity supports the Institute of Medicine recommendation

universities should "provide mediation and counseling services for faculty, staff, and students who

concerns about professionally questionable training or research practices." Institute of Medicine (1

Responsible Conduct of Research in the Health Sciences. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press, p.

4.

32

Responsible Whistleblowing: A Whistleblower's Bill of Rights

a. Communication: Whistleblowers are free to disclose lawfully whatever

information supports a reasonable belief of research misconduct as it is defined

by PHS policy. An individual or institution that retaliates against any person

making protected disclosures engages in prohibited obstruction of

investigations of research misconduct as defined by the Commission on

Research Integrity. Whistleblowers must respect the confidentiality of sensitive

information and give legitimate institutional structures an opportunity to

function. Should a whistleblower elect to make a lawful disclosure that violates

institutional rules of confidentiality, the institution may thereafter legitimately

limit the whistleblower's access to further information about the case.

b. Protection from retaliation:44 Institutions have a duty not to tolerate or

engage in retaliation against good-faith whistleblowers. This duty includes

providing appropriate and timely relief to ameliorate the consequences of actual

or threatened reprisals, and holding accountable those who retaliate. 

Whistleblowers and other witnesses to possible research misconduct have a

responsibility to raise their concerns honorably and with foundation.

c. Fair procedures: Institutions have a duty to provide fair and objective

procedures for examining and resolving complaints, disputes, and allegations of

research misconduct. In cases of alleged retaliation that are not resolved

through institutional intervention, whistleblowers should have an opportunity to

defend themselves in a proceeding where they can present witnesses and

confront those they charge with retaliation against them, except when they

violate rules of confidentiality.

Whistleblowers have a responsibility to participate honorably in such

procedures by respecting the serious consequences for those they accuse of

misconduct, and by using the same standards to correct their own errors that

they apply to others.

d. Procedures free from partiality: Institutions have a duty to follow

procedures that are not tainted by partiality arising from personal or institutional

conflict of interest or other sources of bias. Whistleblowers have a

responsibility to act within legitimate institutional channels when raising

concerns about the integrity of research. They have the right to raise objections

concerning the possible partiality of those selected to review their concerns

without incurring retaliation.
45 This section draws on concepts developed by C.K. Gunsalus and others within and outside o

Commission. 

33

e. Information: Institutions have a duty to elicit and evaluate fully and objectively

information about concerns raised by whistleblowers. Whistleblowers may have

unique knowledge needed to evaluate thoroughly responses from those whose

actions are questioned. Consequently, a competent investigation may involve

giving whistleblowers one or more opportunities to comment on the accuracy

and completeness of information relevant to their concerns, except when they

violate rules of confidentiality.

f. Timely processes: Institutions have a duty to handle cases involving alleged

research misconduct as expeditiously as is possible without compromising

responsible resolutions. When cases drag on for years, the issue becomes the

dispute rather than its resolution. Whistleblowers have a responsibility to

facilitate expeditious resolution of cases by good-faith participation in

misconduct procedures.

g. Vindication: At the conclusion of proceedings, institutions have a

responsibility to credit promptly--in public and/or in private as appropriate--

those whose allegations are substantiated.

Every right carries with it a corresponding responsibility. In this context, the Whistleblower

Bill of Rights carries the obligation to avoid false statements and unlawful behavior.

Administrative Processes and Investigations in

Research Misconduct

Structures and Procedures of Research Institutions45

An environment that protects and nurtures research integrity is one in which questions can

be freely raised. All individuals actually or potentially involved in maintaining scientific

integrity need the security of knowing that open-mindedness and fair procedures are

ensured. Rigorous adherence to fair procedures must occur from the very first exploration

by an individual who questions the behavior of another, to the final disposition of formal

inquiries and hearings.

Institutions must guard against all factors that may undermine impartiality and fairness in

such proceedings, including those that place narrow views of institutional self-interest above

all others. When conduct is questioned in research institutions, even the earliest and least

formal phases of proceedings are vulnerable to mishandling, and power inequalities can

contribute to unfair treatment of both whistleblowers (who may be of junior status) and the

accused. Testimony to the Commission underscored the potential dangers of partiality in the
46 Gunsalus CK. (1993): Institutional structure to ensure research integrity. Academic Medicine

(Supplement 3).

47

 Framework for Institutional Policies and Procedures to Deal with Fraud in

Research. Washington, D.C.: Association of American Universities, National Association of State Univer

Land-Grant Colleges, Council of Graduate Schools, Nov. 4, 1988; reissued Nov. 10, 1989; developed by an in

working group.

48 AAMC Ad Hoc Committee on Misconduct and Conflict of Interest in Research: Beyond the

"Framework": Institutional Considerations in Managing Allegations of Misconduct in

Research. Washington, D.C.: Association of American Medical Colleges, Sept. 1992.

49 Office of Research Integrity advisory document: "Model Policy and Procedures for Respond

Allegations of Scientific Misconduct," April 1995.

34

institutional handling of misconduct allegations from the inception to the completion of

investigations.

Mediation by an ombudsperson or mediator from inside or outside the institution should be

possible if agreeable to all parties. When academic institutions offer mediation or

conciliation, it should be provided by an individual who is independent of the dispute. (See

Whistleblower's Bill of Rights, section (d).)

Whatever processes individual institutions develop or adopt, they must achieve a fair

balance of impartiality and advocacy in all proceedings. Guidelines for adequate process

are required to ensure that allegations are addressed through procedures that are impartial,

fair, fact-based, accessible, and open.

The Commission examined diverse model assurances and guidelines developed by

institutions, professional organizations, and the Federal Government, and considered

suggestions for their implementation.46 47 48 49 No single specific set of guidelines can ensure

satisfactory procedures in all settings because institutions vary considerably in style, size,

and structure. Nonetheless, existing policies and guidelines offer important principles and

procedures that must be borne in mind. Based on these, the Commission believes

institutional procedures must be:

Accessible from multiple entry points, such as through the mentor, lab

supervisor, department head or other scientific colleagues, and the research integrity

officer or ombudsperson. The existence of multiple entry points requires consistent

mechanisms for assessing allegations, as well as adequate communications among

these components.

Overseen by individuals or by committees whose members are free from

bias and conflict of interest. At every stage of the process, institutions must

demonstrate that none of those assessing the allegations have substantial personal

or professional involvement with the facts at issue or the individual(s) whose conduct

is in question. In whatever manner institutional committee membership is

determined, those making the determination must not be directly involved with the

unit in which the allegation is made. At least one person who is not from the
35

institution in which the allegation arose should be included in the investigation phase. 

It is also good practice to include one or more experts in the scientific field, also from

outside the institution. The rosters of professionals that the Commission has

suggested be developed by professional societies could provide one useful source of

such "outside" professional expertise. Whenever possible, the whistleblower and the

accused should have equal input in assembling the committee.

Based on independent investigation. The factual basis for allegations of

misconduct must be established without regard to the personality and motivations of 
50 This principle applies equally to federal proceedings.

36

whistleblowers or the reputations of those whose behavior they question. The only relevant

issue is the facts.

Overseen by bodies that are separated in their investigatory and

adjudicatory functions. It is well established that justice is not usually served by

having a single individual or group function as investigator, prosecutor, judge, and

jury. The checks and balances provided by separating investigatory and adjudicatory

functions are essential to fair process.50

Balanced in advocacy. Testimony to the institutional committee from both sides

of the dispute must be reasonably balanced. Institutions must recognize and adjust

for differences in power and resources among participants.

Capable of preventing retaliation against participants. To protect the

integrity of the investigative process, the accuser and the accused should receive

protection from being silenced, or punished, whether by retaliation or by damage to

reputation or resources. Methods for achieving this protection include notifying all

faculty members of acceptable and unacceptable procedures; making available an

independent ombudsperson; and appointing a senior advisor to both accuser and

accused.

Open. While confidentiality is necessary to protect reputations from inappropriate

damage, excessive secrecy undermines justice. Proceedings, or at a minimum their

results, should be open whenever possible. Anyone whose conduct is questioned

should have an opportunity to respond.

Federal Structures and Procedures

Institutions and the Federal Government are partners in the effort to foster research integrity

and minimize research misconduct. In fulfilling its responsibility for overseeing the

appropriate use of public funds in research, DHHS oversight of research misconduct (as

defined in this report) encompasses several distinct but broadly interrelated administrative

functions, which include: 

! Proposing and implementing regulations; 

! Ensuring that institutions and scientists comply with regulations; 

! Monitoring and reviewing compliance with institutional assurances and misconduct

investigations;

! Conducting DHHS misconduct investigations under specified circumstances; 

! Reviewing and adjudicating misconduct cases based on institutional or agency

investigations; and

! Imposing remedies and administrative actions.
51 For a brief description of ORI structure and functions, see Appendix C. 

52 Office of Inspector General, DHHS: "Study of the Staffing and Management of the Office of R

Integrity," November 1994; United States General Accounting Office: "Health Research Misconduct: HH

Cases is Appropriate, but Timeliness Remains a Concern." United States General Accounting Office Repo

Congressional Requesters, August 1995.

53 Office of Inspector General, DHHS: "Study of the Staffing and Management of the Office of R

Integrity," November 1994.

37

Most of these functions are now the responsibility of the DHHS Office of Research

Integrity.51 The discussion and recommendations to follow focus particularly on the role of

DHHS in investigation and adjudication of alleged cases of misconduct. Both the testimony

and the literature analyzed by the Commission offered mixed praise and criticism of the work

of ORI and its predecessors, OSI and OSIR. Testimony by whistleblowers, respondents,

and institutional officials included critiques of ORI's criteria for selecting cases for review, the

duration of its inquiries and investigations, and the use of unwarranted secrecy in dealing

with whistleblowers. In addition, ORI has been compared unfavorably with the Office of the

Inspector General at the National Science Foundation, which has similar responsibilities.

The Commission also received testimony from representatives of the Departmental Appeals

Board as well as attorneys for respondents, and reviewed the rulings of cases that were

brought to the DAB. Commission deliberations have been aided by testimony and

background material from ORI and by recent federal assessments of ORI functions.52

Investigating Allegations

Based on its analysis of the sources mentioned above, the Commission believes that the

federal investigatory role should be improved, based on the following principles:

! The Department must rely upon institutions as the primary site of investigations. 

! Effective and timely federal investigation and oversight require appropriate resources,

including the power to subpoena persons and documents; a mix of expertise in

investigative staffing; and administrative mechanisms that assure adequate speed in

the investigatory process.

! A functional separation is necessary between investigation and adjudication; this

principle applies in both institutional and federal proceedings. In the latter case, it

applies equally to federal oversight of institutional investigations and to investigations

conducted by the Federal Government. The success of these functions requires

having people with research expertise and investigative skills be involved with the

investigation, and having the adjudication involve both scientific and legal

competence.

The Commission believes that it would help ORI's procedures to have subpoena power,

which it currently lacks. This change was recommended in the DHHS Office of the Inspector

General's report,53 and would follow, in part, the model of NSF, which has the power to

subpoena documents, but not witnesses.
38
39

Over the years, a number of commentators have stated that the processes of investigation

and adjudication are not sufficiently separated in the DHHS process. For example, the inhouse committee that advises the Director of ORI on the disposition of individual cases

includes a representative from the ORI Division of Research Investigations (the investigative

arm of ORI). Furthermore, the Director of ORI, who cannot be considered a disinterested

party to the success of the investigative effort, makes the final determination in ORI cases.

A clear separation would occur if, for example, following the National Science Foundation

model, investigatory functions were assisted or directed by the Office of the DHHS Inspector

General. Such an approach might also remedy the limited supply of skilled investigators in

ORI. ORI conceivably could then spend more of its efforts in policy development, education,

monitoring institutional assurances, compliance reviews, and investigating retaliation against

witnesses.

Recommendations:

Regarding the federal investigation of allegations, the Commission recommends that: 

! The Secretary ensure that the investigation of misconduct and subsequent

adjudication are organizationally separated in DHHS, as they are, for example, at

the National Science Foundation. 

! DHHS ensure that legal, law-enforcement, and scientist-investigator staff

participate in each federally conducted investigation and ensure that scientists

participate in hearings and appeal procedures.

! Those conducting investigations have subpoena power over persons and

documents, subject to specific case-by-case authorization by the Office of the

General Counsel.

! The Secretary establish a specific mechanism for reviewing and auditing the

record of DHHS in enforcing the laws that prohibit research misconduct and

other professional misconduct.

! ORI address as research misconduct those cases that it previously would have

dismissed as mere "authorship disputes" or "collaborative disputes," namely,

serious cases of alleged plagiarism (which under the proposed definition would

be considered "significant misappropriation") among and between

collaborators.

! DHHS and institutions deal with retaliation against whistleblowers as rigorously

at the inquiry, investigation, and adjudication stages as they do with cases of

research and other professional misconduct.

! The Secretary review the current assignment of responsibility for responding to

allegations of retaliation against whistleblowers to the ORI Division of Policy and

Education and consider placing it in a unit capable of carrying out

investigations. 
40

! The Secretary seek, through appropriate channels and procedures, to have the

False Claims Act amended because it serves as a disincentive for thorough 
54 In this role, the RIAP is carrying out a trial function, not an appellate function. 

41

institutional investigations. The principle should be established that institutions may

expeditiously investigate scientific misconduct allegations, protected from adverse use

of their findings in litigation, if thorough, competent investigations have been

conducted.

Federal Adjudication

To dispel any perception of partiality by the Federal Government, a public (open), trial-like

proceeding must be available, upon request, in cases adjudicated at the federal level. 

However, such proceedings should not be required when the DHHS role is limited to

reviewing the record of a case based on an adequate institutional investigation.

It is important to note that the federal standard, as expressed in its regulation, is only a

minimum standard; institutions have the prerogative of establishing their own standards at or

above that level and are encouraged to do so. This prerogative must not be undermined by

the federal role. Occasionally, in cases in which an institution had previously found no

misconduct, ORI subsequently made a finding of no misconduct without clearly delineating to

the institution the basis for such rulings. At the very least, there should be a more careful

framing of ORI judgments, since the institution's findings often do and should go beyond the

more limited federal interest. Moreover, where an ORI decision would tend to undermine the

efficacy of the prior institutional decision, the institution should be granted a right to appeal

such ORI decision.

To adjudicate research misconduct cases in which an ORI decision is contested, DHHS now

relies upon Research Integrity Adjudications Panels (RIAPs) appointed by the Departmental

Appeals Board.54 The Commission endorses this approach.

For the Federal Government and the scientific community, allegations of retaliation against

witnesses are as serious as allegations of research misconduct. Thus, it is essential for

DHHS to develop a more systematic, thorough, and effective process for monitoring

institutional investigations of such allegations, as well as a way to call institutions to task

when they fail to fulfill their obligations.

Recommendations:

The Commission recommends that DHHS:

! Use institutional findings related to misconduct as final and binding if they are

supported by the evidence and were obtained through a process that afforded

due process and complied with federal regulations and the institution's own

policies. 

! Limit any subsequent federal review of a decision reached after ORI has

reviewed and accepted an institutional finding of misconduct. That subsequent
42

review should be confined to the existing record rather than a de novo

proceeding, 
43

except when DHHS proposes to impose a separate federal sanction. In such instances,

if the institutional record is not adequate, further fact-finding by ORI may be required,

and, upon request, the respondent should receive a trial-like adjudicatory process to

review any such further fact-finding.

! Permit an institution to contest the decision of the Department's reviewing office

if that office has reviewed and disapproved an institutional finding of

misconduct or nonmisconduct. In addition, the original respondent should be

given an opportunity to make a submission to that office in this review process.

The Commission also recommends that the Secretary:

! Continue to permit a respondent to request a trial-type, de novo hearing when

proposed findings of misconduct are based on an ORI investigation. Such

hearings should continue to be held before a Research Integrity Adjudications

Panel appointed by the Departmental Appeals Board. However, the Secretary

should consider steps to strengthen and streamline the process to expedite the

proceedings. 

! Require widespread, systematic public disclosure of all outcomes of federal

research and research-related professional misconduct cases, with detailed,

specific statements of their rationale, in view of the strong public interest in the

disclosure of information underlying such cases. In addition, the Secretary

should require public disclosure of all factual information developed in

misconduct cases that affects the public welfare, unless disclosure is expressly

prohibited by law.

Effective Oversight of Assurances and Misconduct Investigations

The Commission's hearings underscored major differences among research institutions in

their awareness of research integrity issues and their administrative capacity to deal

appropriately with them. The Commission believes that all available educational avenues

should be used to strengthen the scientific community's overall capacity to encourage

research integrity and cope fairly and effectively with allegations of research misconduct. 

Thus, in addition to strongly encouraging the efforts of professional societies and

professional training programs and requiring expanded training in research integrity, the

Federal Government, in partnership with the scientific community, should develop

information that can assist institutions in dealing more effectively with specific federal

requirements regarding research integrity and professional misconduct issues.

ORI has developed a model policy and instructions that institutions may use, if they desire,

when developing policies that satisfy regulatory requirements. However, instead of being

geared exclusively to the current PHS regulation, the model needs to be revised and tailored

more toward the broader needs of institutions. Such a revision should involve institutions to

the greatest extent possible and should be coordinated with other funding agencies.
55 Office of the Inspector General, DHHS: "Study of the Staffing and Management of the Office 

Integrity," November 1994.

56 Examples of successful, widely adopted guidance documents using such procedures include

following: Framework for Institutional Policies and Procedures to Deal with Fraud in

Research. Washington, D.C.: Association of American Universities, National Association of State Univer

Land-Grant Colleges, Council of Graduate Schools, Nov. 4, 1988 (developed by an interassociation wor

AAMC Ad Hoc Committee on Misconduct and Conflict of Interest in Research: Beyond the "Framewor

Institutional Considerations in Managing Allegations of Misconduct in Research.

Washington, D.C.: Association of American Medical Colleges, Sept. 1992.

57 ORI now does this only on a selective basis. It has stated that systematic monitoring woul

current resources.

44

The Inspector General of DHHS has suggested that ORI initiate a systematic monitoring

program for compliance with assurances, train and use special staff, and make on-site visits

for cause.55 The Commission concurs that these measures would enhance considerably the

effectiveness of the DHHS oversight role in this area.

The large number of institutions required to provide assurances and annual reports presents

ORI with a daunting oversight task. The annual reports, which it now receives only from

extramural institutions, provide a basis for assessing compliance with institutional

assurances. Although the NIH Intramural Research Program also falls within the monitoring

jurisdiction of ORI, it is not required to file an assurance or annual report similar to that

required of extramural programs receiving PHS funding. The Commission believes this

inequality should be remedied.

Recommendations:

The Commission recommends that DHHS: 

! Use procedures that incorporate the experience and knowledge within the

institutions it oversees in developing guidance intended for their use.56 

! Oversee institutions more systematically for compliance with federal

assurances, using an appropriate array of mechanisms, including on-site visits

by specially trained staff.57 During site visits, investigator-reviewers should be

available for public or confidential interviews with members of the institution's

community regarding compliance with federal assurances.

! Require from the intramural NIH programs the same assurances and annual

reports that are required from other institutions, and monitor NIH accordingly. 

NIH should have exemplary procedures in place to establish and maintain

integrity in intramural research programs, including responses to cases of

alleged misconduct and retaliation against whistleblowers.

! Avoid, whenever possible, a separate federal investigation as an

acknowledgment of the primary responsibility of institutions. DHHS should not

reinvestigate or relitigate factual matters if an institution has substantially
45

complied with its procedures and reached findings of misconduct supported by

the evidence, unless required to do so as a prerequisite for imposing a federal

sanction.
46

! Publish criteria, under the Secretary's direction, to be used for rejecting

institutional findings and for intervening in ongoing institutional procedures that

respond to allegations of research misconduct and other professional

misconduct.

! Develop a specific mechanism for determining: (a) whether, when

whistleblowers contact the federal agency directly because they lack faith in the

fairness of the institutional process, a fair process can and will take place at an

institution; and (b) when and how to intervene when such intervention is

deemed appropriate.

! Adopt a procedure (analogous to that provided by the Whistleblower Protection

Act of 1989 for Civil Service disclosures) in which, once the federal agency

receives an institution's investigative report concerning allegations of research

misconduct or other forms of professional misconduct, it makes available to the

whistleblower relevant portions of the institution's response (except where

prohibited by law, and with due concern for confidentiality). The federal agency

should allow the whistleblower to comment on the adequacy of that response

prior to the Federal Government's decision to accept or reject the report as a

resolution of the whistleblower's charges. The final judgment is reserved to the

Federal Government.

Imposing Federal Sanctions

Introduction

Many research institutions are exemplary in fulfilling their responsibilities to preserve

scientific integrity and honor their assurances to federal research funders. However, some

have been shown to tolerate repeated and fundamental violations of research integrity. 

Such chronic patterns of unethical behavior by scientists and their institutions can endanger

the integrity of federally funded biomedical research and the public health the research is

intended to serve.

In the Commission's view, the sanctions imposed by DHHS and ORI for individual and

institutional violations related to research misconduct have not always been well matched to

the seriousness of specific offenses. These discrepancies appear to stem, in part, from the

lack of clear DHHS policy statements regarding both incentives for appropriate behavior and

a spectrum of sanctions for levels and types of inappropriate behavior.

The application of sanctions to PHS-funded research institutions should be guided by the

following general principles: When institutions follow in good faith their own research

integrity assurances, DHHS should not penalize them for acts of their staff. However, when

they do not follow their own policies, when they tolerate or ignore retaliation against

whistleblowers, allow obstruction of investigations, or tolerate noncompliance with research

regulations, institutions should be held accountable. The range of potential sanctions

against institutions should include censure, the return of research funds, additional fines,

and institutional debarment from DHHS funding.
47
58 The Commission does not suggest that other forms of misconduct, such as financial impro

not of serious concern. It has limited its definitional recommendations, however, to areas that are

related to the conduct of research.

48

Recommendations:

The Commission recommends that DHHS:

! Publicly disclose any instance in which, because an institution did not process a

case in good faith, ORI replaced the institution as fact finder in resolving

allegations of research misconduct and other forms of professional misconduct. 

! Require the federal office responsible for adjudication to formulate criteria for

the severity of sanctions, and in each case articulate the specific reasons for

the choice of sanction.

! Use a range of potential sanctions against institutions, including censure, the

return of research funds, fines, suspension, and institutional debarment from

DHHS funding.

! Take enforcement action--after notice and an opportunity for institutional

corrective action--to discontinue PHS funding to institutions that lack a system

of rules and procedures for complying with the regulations prohibiting research

misconduct and other forms of professional misconduct, or that willfully do not

follow their own rules and procedures.

! Broaden the range of administrative actions applied as sanctions to individuals

found guilty of professional misconduct (including research misconduct and

obstruction of investigations of such misconduct). The type of sanction used

should depend on the seriousness and consequences of the misdeed and any

mitigating circumstances. These actions should include reprimands, mandatory

supervision of future work, and debarment for varying periods of time. 

Research misconduct that places human subjects at risk, including data

fabrication affecting treatment, should elicit particularly severe sanctions.

Summary of Recommendations

In keeping with its charge, the Commission on Research Integrity makes the following

recommendations to Congress and the Secretary of Health and Human Services: 

Definition

•1•

The Commission recommends that the Secretary replace the existing definition of

misconduct in science58 with the definition of research misconduct and definitions of
59 The record encompasses any documentation or presentation of research, oral or written, 

unpublished.

49

other forms of professional misconduct related to research, to follow. The definition of

research misconduct is based on the premise that research misconduct is serious

violation of the fundamental principle that scientists be truthful and fair in the conduct

of research and the dissemination of its results.

The Federal Government has an interest in professional misconduct involving the use

of federal funds in research, as covered by the following definitions:

1. Research Misconduct

Research misconduct is significant misbehavior that improperly appropriates

the intellectual property or contributions of others, that intentionally impedes

the progress of research, or that risks corrupting the scientific record59 or

compromising the integrity of scientific practices. Such behaviors are unethical

and unacceptable in proposing, conducting, or reporting research or in

reviewing the proposals or research reports of others.

Examples of research misconduct include but are not limited to the following:

Misappropriation: An investigator or reviewer shall not intentionally or

recklessly 

a. plagiarize, which shall be understood to mean the presentation of the

documented words or ideas of another as his or her own, without

attribution appropriate for the medium of presentation; or

b. make use of any information in breach of any duty of confidentiality

associated with the review of any manuscript or grant application.

Interference: An investigator or reviewer shall not intentionally and

without authorization take or sequester or materially damage any

research-related property of another, including without limitation the

apparatus, reagents, biological materials, writings, data, hardware,

software, or any other substance or device used or produced in the

conduct of research.

Misrepresentation: An investigator or reviewer shall not with intent to

deceive, or in reckless disregard for the truth,

a. state or present a material or significant falsehood; or

b. omit a fact so that what is stated or presented as a whole states or

presents a material or significant falsehood.

2. Other Forms of Professional Misconduct
50

a. Obstruction of Investigations of Research Misconduct

The Federal Government has an important interest in protecting the integrity of

investigations into reported incidents of research misconduct. Accordingly,

obstruction of investigations of research misconduct related to federal funding

constitutes a form of professional misconduct in that it undermines the interests

of the public, the scientific community, and the Federal Government.

Obstruction of investigations of research misconduct consists of intentionally

withholding or destroying evidence in violation of a duty to disclose or preserve;

falsifying evidence; encouraging, soliciting or giving false testimony; and

attempting to intimidate or retaliate against witnesses, potential witnesses, or

potential leads to witnesses or evidence before, during, or after the

commencement of any formal or informal proceeding.

b. Noncompliance with Research Regulations

Responsible conduct in research includes compliance with applicable federal 

research regulations. Such regulations include (but are not limited to) those 

governing the use of biohazardous materials and human and animal subjects in 

research.

Serious noncompliance with such regulations after notice of their existence

undermines the interests of the public, the scientific community, and the Federal

Government and constitutes another form of professional misconduct.

Uniform Federal Definition

•2•

The Commission recommends that the Secretary encourage an interagency task force

to develop a common federal definition of research misconduct and other forms of

professional misconduct related to research. 

Role of Research Institutions and the Federal Government

•3•

The Commission recommends that the Secretary require that each institution applying

for or receiving a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under the Public Health

Service Act for research or research training add to its existing misconduct-in-science

assurance a third declaration, one certifying that the institution has an educational

program on the responsible conduct of research. Through this mechanism, the

current NIH research integrity education requirement, now limited to recipients of

institutional training grants at NIH-funded institutions, would be augmented by an

assurance applied to all individuals supported by PHS research funds. 
60 Because this audit would be undertaken solely to establish the prevalence of research misc

not to detect dishonest scientists, it should be confidential and its results reported in the aggrega

would be used to inform institutions' decisions about monitoring and enhancing the quality of re

51

•4•

The proposed research integrity education assurance should be implemented in the

following manner: The assurance should be included in the checklist that

accompanies every PHS research or training grant application. The institutional

official's signature would signify the institution's compliance with the assurance. In

addition, the application would state clearly that the signature of the scientist

submitting the application signifies that he/she is familiar with (a) the institution's

policies and procedures regarding scientific misconduct; and (b) the institution's

educational program on the responsible conduct of research.

•5•

The Secretary should also encourage:

a. Integration of the explicit teaching of the ethics of science into the classroom,

laboratory, and other research sites in pre-collegiate education as well as in

undergraduate and graduate schools; and

b. Funding for scholarship, teaching, and research in science ethics. Such funded

research should include an experimental audit of the prevalence of data

misrepresentation.60

Role of Professional Societies and Codes of Ethics

•6•

The Commission recommends that professional societies each adopt a code of ethics

in research and encourage their members to use these codes as a framework for

considering emerging ethical issues in science. In addition, professional societies

should consider initiating activities that will further promote the ethical conduct of

research and professionalism in science.

Responsible Whistleblowing

•7•

The Commission recommends that the Secretary develop regulations guaranteeing the

standards expressed in the following statement of principles: 

Responsible Whistleblowing: A Whistleblower's Bill of Rights

a. Communication: Whistleblowers are free to disclose lawfully whatever

information supports a reasonable belief of research misconduct as it is defined by

PHS policy. An individual or institution that retaliates against any person making
61 The Commission on Research Integrity supports the 1989 recommendation by the Institute o

the National Academy of Sciences stating that universities should "provide mediation and counselin

faculty, staff and students who wish to express concerns about professionally questionable trainin

practices." Institute of Medicine (1989): The Responsible Conduct of Research in the Health Sciences,

Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press, p. 4.

52

protected disclosures engages in prohibited obstruction of investigations of research

misconduct as defined by the Commission on Research Integrity. Whistleblowers must

respect the confidentiality of sensitive information and give legitimate institutional

structures an opportunity to function. Should a whistleblower elect to make a lawful

disclosure that violates institutional rules of confidentiality, the institution may

thereafter legitimately limit the whistleblower's access to further information about the

case.

b. Protection from retaliation:61 Institutions have a duty not to tolerate or engage

in retaliation against good-faith whistleblowers. This duty includes providing

appropriate and timely relief to ameliorate the consequences of actual or threatened

reprisals, and holding accountable those who retaliate. Whistleblowers and other

witnesses to possible research misconduct have a responsibility to raise their

concerns honorably and with foundation.

c. Fair procedures: Institutions have a duty to provide fair and objective procedures

for examining and resolving complaints, disputes, and allegations of research

misconduct. In cases of alleged retaliation that are not resolved through institutional

intervention, whistleblowers should have an opportunity to defend themselves in a

proceeding where they can present witnesses and confront those they charge with

retaliation against them, except when they violate rules of confidentiality.

Whistleblowers have a responsibility to participate honorably in such procedures by

respecting the serious consequences for those they accuse of misconduct, and by

using the same standards to correct their own errors that they apply to others.

d. Procedures free from partiality: Institutions have a duty to follow procedures

that are not tainted by partiality arising from personal or institutional conflict of interest

or other sources of bias. Whistleblowers have a responsibility to act within legitimate

institutional channels when raising concerns about the integrity of research. They

have the right to raise objections concerning the possible partiality of those selected to

review their concerns without incurring retaliation.

e. Information: Institutions have a duty to elicit and evaluate fully and objectively

information about concerns raised by whistleblowers. Whistleblowers may have

unique knowledge needed to evaluate thoroughly responses from those whose actions

are questioned. Consequently, a competent investigation may involve giving

whistleblowers one or more opportunities to comment on the accuracy and
53

completeness of information relevant to their concerns, except when they violate rules

of confidentiality.

f. Timely processes: Institutions have a duty to handle cases involving alleged

research misconduct as expeditiously as is possible without compromising

responsible resolutions. When cases drag on for years, the issue becomes the dispute

rather than its resolution. Whistleblowers have a responsibility to facilitate expeditious

resolution of cases by good faith participation in misconduct procedures.

g. Vindication: At the conclusion of proceedings, institutions have a responsibility

to credit promptly--in public and/or in private as appropriate--those whose allegations

are substantiated.

Every right carries with it a corresponding responsibility. In this context, the

Whistleblower Bill of Rights carries the obligation to avoid false statements and

unlawful behavior.

Administrative Processes and Investigations 

•8•

Regarding the federal investigation of allegations, the Commission recommends that: 

a. The Secretary ensure that the investigation of misconduct and subsequent

adjudication are organizationally separated in DHHS, as they are, for example, at

the National Science Foundation.

b. DHHS ensure that legal, law-enforcement, and scientist-investigator staff

participate in each federally conducted investigation and ensure that scientists

participate in hearings and appeal procedures.

c. Those conducting investigations have subpoena power over persons and

documents, subject to specific case-by-case authorization by the Office of the

General Counsel.

d. The Secretary establish a specific mechanism for reviewing and auditing the

record of DHHS in enforcing the laws that prohibit research misconduct and

other professional misconduct.

e. ORI address as research misconduct those cases that it previously would have

dismissed as mere "authorship disputes" or "collaborative disputes," namely,

serious cases of alleged plagiarism (which under the proposed definition would

be considered "significant misappropriation") among and between

collaborators.
54

f. DHHS and institutions deal with retaliation against whistleblowers as rigorously

at the inquiry, investigation, and adjudication stages as they do in cases with

research and other professional misconduct.

g. The Secretary review the current assignment of responsibility for responding to

allegations of retaliation against whistleblowers to the ORI Division of Policy and

Education and consider placing it in a unit capable of carrying out

investigations. 

h. The Secretary seek, through appropriate channels and procedures, to have the

False Claims Act amended because it serves as a disincentive for thorough

institutional investigations. The principle should be established that institutions

may expeditiously investigate scientific misconduct allegations, protected from

adverse use of their findings in litigation, if thorough, competent investigations

have been conducted.
55

Federal Adjudication

•9•

The Commission recommends that DHHS:

a. Use institutional findings related to misconduct as final and binding if they are

supported by the evidence and were obtained through a process that afforded

due process and complied with federal regulations and the institution's own

policies. 

b. Limit any subsequent federal review of a decision reached after ORI has

reviewed and accepted an institutional finding of misconduct. That subsequent

review should be confined to the existing record rather than a de novo

proceeding, except when DHHS proposes to impose a separate federal

sanction. In such instances, if the institutional record is not adequate, further

fact-finding by ORI may be required, and, upon request, the respondent should

receive a trial-like adjudicatory process to review any such further fact-finding. 

c. Permit an institution to contest the decision of the Department's reviewing office

if that office has reviewed and disapproved an institutional finding of

misconduct or nonmisconduct. In addition, the original respondent should be

given an opportunity to make a submission to that office in this review process.

The Commission also recommends that the Secretary:

d. Continue to permit a respondent to request a trial-type, de novo hearing when

proposed findings of misconduct are based on an ORI investigation. Such

hearings should continue to be held before a Research Integrity Adjudications

Panel appointed by the Departmental Appeals Board. However, the Secretary

should consider steps to strengthen and streamline the process to expedite the

proceedings. 

e. Require widespread, systematic public disclosure of all outcomes of federal

research and research-related professional misconduct cases, with detailed,

specific statements of their rationale, in view of the strong public interest in the

disclosure of information underlying such cases. In addition, the Secretary

should require public disclosure of all factual information developed in

misconduct cases that affects the public welfare, unless disclosure is expressly

prohibited by law.

Effective Oversight of Assurances and Misconduct Investigations

•10•

The Commission recommends that DHHS: 

a. Use procedures that incorporate the experience and knowledge within the

institutions it oversees in developing guidance intended for their use.
56

b. Oversee institutions more systematically for compliance with federal

assurances, using an appropriate array of mechanisms including on-site visits

by specially trained staff. During site visits, investigators/reviewers should be

available for public or confidential interviews with members of the institution's

community regarding compliance with federal assurances.

c. Require from the intramural NIH programs the same assurances and annual

reports that are required from other institutions, and monitor NIH accordingly. 

NIH should have exemplary procedures in place to establish and maintain

integrity in intramural research programs, including responses to cases of

alleged misconduct and retaliation against whistleblowers.

d. Avoid, whenever possible, a separate federal investigation as an

acknowledgment of the primary responsibility of institutions. DHHS should not

reinvestigate or relitigate factual matters if an institution has substantially

complied with its procedures and reached findings of misconduct supported by

the evidence, unless required to do so as a prerequisite for imposing a federal

sanction.

e. Publish criteria, under the Secretary's direction, to be used for rejecting

institutional findings and for intervening in ongoing institutional procedures that

respond to allegations of research misconduct and other professional

misconduct.

f. Develop a specific mechanism for determining: (a) whether, when

whistleblowers contact the federal agency directly because they lack faith in the

fairness of the institutional process, a fair process can and will take place at an

institution; and (b) when and how to intervene when such intervention is

deemed appropriate.

g. Adopt a procedure (analogous to that provided by the Whistleblower Protection

Act of 1989 for Civil Service disclosures) in which, once the federal agency

receives an institution's investigative report concerning allegations of research

or other forms of professional misconduct, it makes available to the

whistleblower relevant portions of the institution's response (except where

prohibited by law, and with due concern for confidentiality). The federal agency

should allow the whistleblower to comment on the adequacy of that response

prior to the Federal Government's decision to accept or reject the report as a

resolution of the whistleblower's charges. The final judgment is reserved to the

Federal Government.

Imposing Federal Sanctions

•11•

The Commission recommends that DHHS:
57

a. Publicly disclose any instance in which, because an institution did not process a

case in good faith, ORI replaced the institution as fact finder in resolving

allegations of research misconduct and other forms of professional misconduct. 

b. Require the federal office responsible for adjudication to formulate criteria for

the severity of sanctions, and in each case articulate the specific reasons for

the choice of sanction.

c. Use a range of potential sanctions against institutions, including censure, the

return of research funds, fines, suspension, and institutional debarment from

DHHS funding.

d. Take enforcement action--after notice and an opportunity for institutional

corrective action--to discontinue PHS funding to institutions that lack a system

of rules and procedures for complying with the regulations prohibiting research

misconduct and other forms of professional misconduct, or that willfully do not

follow their own rules and procedures.

e. Broaden the range of administrative actions applied as sanctions to individuals

found guilty of professional misconduct (including research misconduct and

obstruction of investigations of such misconduct). The type of sanction used

should depend on the seriousness and consequences of the misdeed and any

mitigating circumstances. These actions should include reprimands, mandatory

supervision of future work, and debarment for varying periods of time. 

Research misconduct that places human subjects at risk, including data

fabrication affecting treatment, should elicit particularly severe sanctions.
58

Appendix A

THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20201

Charter

Commission on Research Integrity

Purpose

The Commission on Research Integrity shall develop recommendations for the Secretary of

Health and Human Services on the administration of Section 493 of the Public Health

Service Act as amended by and added to by Section 161 of the NIH Revitalization Act of

1993.

Authority

Section 162 of Public Law 103-43, the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993. The Commission is

also governed by the provisions of Public Law 92-463, as amended (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2),

which sets forth standards for the formulation and use of advisory committees.

Function

The Commission shall advise the Secretary on issues of research misconduct and integrity

such as a new definition of research misconduct, an assurance process for institutional

compliance with DHHS regulations, processes by which to respond to and monitor related

administrative processes and investigations, and development of a regulation to protect

whistleblowers.

Structure

The Commission shall be composed of 12 members, including the Chair. Members shall be

appointed by the Secretary. Not more than three members of the Commission may be

officers or employees of the United States Government.

Of the members of the Commission

! three shall be scientists with substantial accomplishments in biomedical or behavioral

research;

! three shall be individuals with experience in investigating allegations of misconduct

with respect to research;

! three shall be representatives of institutions of higher education at which biomedical

or behavioral research is conducted; and 
59

! three shall be individuals who are not described above. Of these at least one shall

be an attorney and one shall be an ethicist.

Members shall be invited to serve for the duration of the Commission; terms of more than

two years are contingent upon the renewal of the Commission by appropriate action prior to

its termination.

Subcommittees composed solely of members of the parent commission may be established

as necessary. Where appropriate, advice might be sought by the Commission or

subcommittee(s) from special consultants. The Department Committee Management Officer

shall be notified upon establishment of each subcommittee, and shall be provided

information on its name, membership, function, and estimated frequency of meetings.

Management and support services shall be provided by the Division of Policy and Education,

Office of Research Integrity.

Meetings

Meetings shall be held approximately six times a year at the call of the Chair with the

advance approval of a Government official who shall approve the agenda. A Government

official shall be present at all meetings.

Meetings shall be open to the public except as determined otherwise by the Secretary;

notice of all meetings shall be given to the public.

Meetings shall be conducted, and records of proceedings kept, as required by applicable

laws and Departmental regulations.

Compensation

Members of the Commission may not receive compensation for services on the Commission. 

Members may be reimbursed for travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred

in carrying out the duties of the Commission in accordance with Standard Government

Travel Regulations.

Annual Cost Estimate

The estimated annual cost for operating the Commission, including travel and

reimbursement for other allowable expenses but excluding staff support, is $206,168. The

estimated annual person years of staff support required are .6, at an estimated annual cost

of $43,403.

Reports

Not later than 120 days after the date on which the Commission is established, the

Commission shall prepare and submit to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the

Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, and the Committee
60

on Labor and Human Resources of the Senate, a report containing recommendations as

required by Section 162 (e) of the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993.
61

In addition, an annual report shall be submitted to the Secretary no later than December 31

of each year, which shall contain, at a minimum, the Commission's function, a list of

members and their business addresses, the dates and places of meetings, and a summary

of the Commission's activities and recommendations made during the fiscal year. A copy of

all reports shall be provided to the Department Committee Management officer.

Termination Date

Unless renewed by appropriate action prior to its expiration, the charter of the Commission

on Research Integrity will terminate two years from the date of approval.

Approved:

November 4, 1993 Donna E. Shalala

Secretary
62

Appendix B

Commission Meetings/Hearings

Meeting 1: Hubert Humphrey Bldg., Washington, DC, June 20, 1994

Meeting 2: Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA, July 25, 1994

Meeting 3: Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA, August 31, 1994

Meeting 4: Stouffer Renaissance Hotel, Arlington, VA, October 19, 1994

Meeting 5: National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, November 7, 1994 

Meeting 6: Washington Dulles Airport Marriott, Chantilly, VA, December 1-2, 1994 

Meeting 7: Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA, January 5, 1995 

Meeting 8: University of California at San Francisco, CA, February 9-10, 1995

Meeting 9: De Paul University, Chicago, IL, March 9-10, 1995 

Meeting 10: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, April 10-11, 1995

Meeting 11: University of Alabama at Birmingham, ALA, May 4-5, 1995

Meeting 12: Washington Dulles Airport Marriott, Chantilly, VA, June 26-27, 1995

Meeting 13: Belmont Conference Center, Elkridge, MD, July 30-August 1, 1995
63

Meeting 14: Washington Dulles Airport Marriott, Chantilly, VA, September 18-19,

1995 

Meeting 15: National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, October 24-25, 1995
1

 Excerpted from "Health Research Misconduct: HHS' Handling of Cases is Appropriate, but Tim

a Concern," United States General Accounting Office Report to Congressional Requesters, August 1995

2

 ORI replaced the Office of Scientific Integrity, within the NIH Office of the Director, and th

Scientific Integrity Review, within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health. The NIH Revitaliz

designated ORI as an independent entity within HHS.

3

 The ORI budget is $3.86 million for FY 95 and potentially $3.83 million for FY 96. It had 39 emplo

of FY 95.

4

 ORI may conduct extramural investigations in cases where the institution is unwilling or u

so or if the case involves special circumstances such as multisite clinical trials.

5

 Persons found by ORI to have engaged in scientific misconduct can appeal such decisions to

within HHS.

64

Appendix C

Structure and Function of the DHHS

Office of Research Integrity (ORI)1

ORI is an independent group within DHHS; its Director reports to the Secretary. Created

from a merger of two offices within DHHS,2 ORI's mission is to oversee and direct PHS

research integrity activities, which it does primarily through its handling of scientific

misconduct investigations. In fiscal year 1994, ORI had a total operating budget of $4 million

and maintained a staff of about 50 employees; currently [August 1995] it has 43 employees.3

Although ORI investigates misconduct related to intramural research programs, about threefourths of its caseload in 1994 related to oversight of extramural integrity reviews conducted

by grantee institutions. ORI generally monitors progress of an extramural investigation and

reviews the institution's final report.4 ORI also presents the results of misconduct

investigations in administrative hearings before the DHHS Departmental Appeals Board5 if

ORI's decisions are challenged.

Besides its investigative function, ORI performs other research integrity activities. These

efforts include developing model policies and procedures for handling allegations of scientific

misconduct; evaluating institutional policies and processes for conducting investigations;

investigating whistleblower retaliation complaints; and promoting scientific integrity through

educational initiatives and other collaborations with universities, medical schools, and

professional societies.

Most allegations of scientific misconduct are made directly to the institutions conducting the

research. Responding to an allegation involves a two-step process: an inquiry and, if

necessary, an investigation. Institutions have the primary responsibility for responding to

allegations involving extramural research; ORI's role in these instances is usually that of 
6

 ORI may accept or reject the findings, ask for additional information, request further inve

begin its own investigation.

7

 The PHS definition of misconduct in science is fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, or oth

that seriously deviate from those that are commonly accepted within the scientific community for

conducting, or reporting research. The definition does not include honest error or honest differ

interpretation or judgment of data. Moreover, according to ORI documents and officials, disputes o

authorship generally do not fall under the definition of scientific misconduct.

8

 After initial review and screening, only about 18 percent of the allegations received in 1994 l

formal inquiry or investigation. About 30 percent resulted in a detailed allegation assessment or fo

other HHS offices, including the Food and Drug Administration, the Office for Protection from Res

the Inspector General.

65

reviewing the institution's investigation report. ORI generally does not review institutional

inquiries because an institution is not required to inform ORI that an inquiry is under way nor

to submit a report at its conclusion.

ORI does, however, review all investigations. Institutions must inform ORI when they begin

an investigation and submit a report at its conclusion. ORI reviews the final report, the

supporting materials, and the determinations to decide whether the investigation has been

performed with sufficient objectivity, thoroughness, and competence.6

ORI plays a more direct role in responding to scientific misconduct allegations in PHS

intramural research programs. It reviews all misconduct inquiries conducted by PHS

agencies and conducts all investigations when they are needed. ORI's handling of

intramural scientific misconduct cases can be a complex undertaking that may involve

collaborations among ORI staff, other agencies, and institutions performing research.

In general, for intramural allegations, the review process begins when an individual making

an allegation (referred to as a complainant) alleges to either ORI or a PHS agency that

another researcher (a respondent) committed scientific misconduct.7 If a misconduct

allegation is made to ORI, an investigator within ORI's Division of Research Investigations

(DRI) conducts an initial screening primarily to determine if PHS funding is involved and

whether the allegation falls within the PHS definition of scientific misconduct. Allegations

that do not meet these criteria result in no action or are referred outside of ORI for

consideration.8

When allegations do fall within PHS' definition of misconduct, ORI forwards them to the PHS

agency that funded the research and directs that agency to conduct a formal inquiry. This

involves gathering information--including interviewing the subjects involved--to determine the

nature of evidence available to support the allegation. ORI investigators may monitor

inquiries and advise PHS agencies on matters such as procedures for sequestering

laboratory research notebooks. They often directly assist the agency in sequestering the

research data and other evidence.

If the results of an inquiry suggest that misconduct may have occurred, ORI then opens a full

investigation to determine the existence and magnitude of misconduct. An investigation

could involve an extensive review of experiments and other scientific data as well as

interviews with all parties involved with the research. The ORI investigator assigned to the
66

case may seek assistance from a staff bio-statistician and other in-house experts. Also, ORI

may elicit assistance from outside scientists who have expertise in subject areas that ORI

staff lack. 
9

 A respondent charged with misconduct may be required to correct the relevant research l

withdraw from participating in PHS-funded research and PHS advisory committees, or a combination

other actions.

67

Investigators produce a written report with findings. The report is reviewed by ORI

management, its legal staff, and the respondent before being issued by the ORI Director. 

For investigations that result in a finding of misconduct, the ORI Director, in combination with

the DHHS debarring official, determines possible sanctions against the respondent, which

may include debarment from receiving federal grant or contract funds for a specified period.9
1

 42 C.F.R. § 50.102. Interim procedures that have not been codified appear at 56 F.R. 27384 (June 13, 1

53125 (November 6, 1992).

2

 National Academy of Sciences, Panel on Scientific Responsibility and the Conduct of Researc

Responsible Science: Ensuring the Integrity of the Research Process. Washington, D. C.: National

Academy Press, 1992, p. 25.

3

 P.L. 103-43 § 165 [a][2].

68

Appendix D

Commentary on Offenses 

Described in the Definition of

"Research Misconduct"

Introduction

For purposes of research funded by the Public Health Service, the current definition of

"misconduct" survives in a 1989 regulation describing the Office of Scientific Integrity. Such

definition reads as follows:

Misconduct or Misconduct in Science means fabrication, falsification,

plagiarism, or other practices that seriously deviate from those that are

commonly accepted within the scientific community for proposing, conducting,

or reporting research. It does not include honest error or honest differences in

interpretations or judgments of data.1

This regulation requires amendment to reflect the replacement in 1992 of the Office of

Scientific Integrity by a differently structured Office of Research Integrity. Even more urgent

is the question of the adequacy of the foregoing definition. Among criticisms of it has been

the conclusion of a panel of the National Academy of Sciences that the lack of a clear

definition of "actions highly detrimental to the integrity of the research process" has "impeded

development of effective institutional oversight and government policies and procedures . .

."2 

The National Institutes of Health Revitalization Act of 1993, which provided for creation of

the Commission on Research Integrity, directed the Secretary of Health and Human Services

to promulgate a definition of "research misconduct" within 90 days after submission of the

Commission's report.3 The definition of "research misconduct" proposed by the Commission

prohibits overt forms of intellectual dishonesty that are inconsistent with the ethical principles
69

with which the definition begins. In light of the significant number of issues posed by any

formulation of misconduct offenses, the substantial history of discussion to date, and the 
4

 The following discussion anticipates but does not presume that the proposed definition wi

course appear within a comprehensive regulation, incorporating all regulations and procedures of 

replace the regulation of 1989.

5

 42 U.S.C. § 289b.

6

 By the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993, P. L. 103-43 § 161.

7

 42 C.F.R. § 50.105; 45 C.F.R. Part 74, Subpart D.

70

importance of a clear rationale for regulatory change in any notice of proposed rulemaking,

the following further explains the offenses set forth in the definition proposed by the

Commission. It discusses the legal context of concepts incorporated in the definition and

contrasts them with alternatives, especially the provisions of the current PHS definition.4

Scope and Jurisdiction: The definition applies to acts and omissions that occur in

"proposing, conducting or reporting research or in reviewing the proposals or research

reports of others." The investigators and reviewers may include students and technicians as

well as senior investigators, as the facts of any case may reveal. The actual conduct of

persons and, where the definition so provides, their mental state, control the extent of

persons’ responsibility. The definition does not imply attribution of the acts or omissions of

one person to another. 

The scope of activities as well as the persons responsible are subject to the limits of

applicable jurisdiction. Assurances of misconduct procedures are expected of institutional

applicants for grants. The statutory authority applicable to ORI, Section 493 of the Public

Health Service Act5, both before and after amendment6, provides for enforcement action by

the Secretary against misconduct only "in connection with projects for which funds have

been made available under this Act." Accordingly, federal jurisdiction to enforce the

definition of "research misconduct" is predicated on receipt of grant funds, with the exception

that the reference to "proposing" research reaffirms present ORI policy to recognize the

entire contents of any application or report to the PHS as within the scope of sanctionable

conduct. For example, a misrepresentation in the bibliography of a research paper where

neither that research nor preparation of the paper has received PHS funding would not fall

within the reach of "research misconduct"; the same misrepresentation of previous work

accompanying an application for a PHS grant would fall within the jurisdictional reach.

The current regulation requires that grantees "foster a research environment that

discourages misconduct in all research and that deals forthrightly with possible misconduct .

. . ," and that records must be retained.7 The Commission's recommendations concerning an

expanded program of assurances reflect the primacy of institutional activity in preventing and

adjudicating misconduct. It thus may be expected that institutions will investigate charges of

misconduct unrelated to PHS-funded research. The definition of "research misconduct"

does not incorporate institutional rules, whose content will rest with the respective institutions

and vary among them, as defining or interpreting offenses. The self-contained offenses

described in the Commission's definition constitute that subset of conduct that is subject to

federal sanctions.
71
8

 "Statement on Standards of Professional Conduct," pp. 13-14 (1993).

72

While the jurisdictional reach is clearly limited to matters involving PHS funds, the language

of the definition, containing no reference to the PHS, is intended to be suitable for all federal

agencies that support research. In contrast with an array of conflicting definitions across

agencies, uniformity in the definition of "research misconduct" is seen by the Commission as

an aid to clarity and education within institutions.

Elements of Offenses

Misappropriation

The proposed definition replaces "plagiarism" with the following:

Misappropriation. An investigator or reviewer shall not intentionally or

recklessly

(a) plagiarize, which shall be understood to mean the presentation of the

documented words or ideas of another as his or her own, without attribution

appropriate for the medium of presentation, or

(b) make use of any information in breach of any duty of confidentiality

associated with the review of any manuscript or grant application.

Since it is not the responsibility of the Secretary to press private grievances on behalf of

those who report alleged misconduct, copyright infringement per se is not appropriately

investigated by ORI. The scholarly concept of integrity about the work of others is, in any

event, broader than copyright infringement. The offenses of plagiarism and misuse of the

work of another, embodied in the definition’s reference to "the documented words or ideas of

another," follow the distinction between the two offenses developed by the American

Historical Association (AHA), which has had occasion to study such questions in recent

years. In its words, 

The misuse of the writings of another author, even when one does not borrow

the exact wording, can be as unfair, as unethical, and as unprofessional as

plagiarism. . . . 

 . . . . The clearest abuse is the use of another’s language without

quotation marks and citation. More subtle abuses include the appropriation of

concepts, data, or notes all disguised in newly crafted sentences, or reference

to a borrowed work in an early note and then extensive further use without

attribution. All such tactics reflect an unworthy disregard for the contributions

of others.8 

The reference to "attribution appropriate to the medium" reflects the circumstance that the

expectation of originality may be less, for example, for an introductory textbook, in which

style may result in less attribution, than in a research paper. This contrast has been noted
9

 Ibid.; American Association of University Professors, "Statement on Plagiarism" (1989).

73

by both the AHA and the American Association of University Professors.9 The requirement

of intent to 
10

 United States v. Arora, 860 F. Supp. 1091 (D. Md. 1994).

74

deceive or recklessness is discussed below with respect to misrepresentation; the same

rationale applies to its inclusion here. The definition thus follows the current regulation in

prohibiting plagiarism, but (1) it provides a definition of the concept, and (2) it also embraces,

by the reference to "ideas," the offense of misuse. 

The prohibition on breach of any duty of confidentiality is not intended to permit misconduct

investigations to be vehicles for the enforcement of contract claims, particularly with respect

to confidentiality and trade secret agreements between scientists and commercial parties. It

does recognize that one who undertakes to keep a confidence and breaks it may evince lack

of trustworthiness that is relevant to eligibility for future PHS grants.

Interference

The definition also prohibits the following:

Interference: An investigator or reviewer shall not intentionally and without

authorization take or sequester or materially damage any research-related

property of another, including without limitation the apparatus, reagents,

biological materials, writings, data, hardware, software, or any other

substance or device used or produced in the conduct of research.

The defined offense of "interference" embraces the taking or damaging of items used in the

research of another. A recent case of NIH intramural misconduct consisting of property

damage was litigated under Maryland law10 because, for such conduct, the only successful

remedies to date are the tort laws of various States. These vary. Such acts are so clearly

antithetical to integrity in research as to be an appropriate basis for the sanctions imposed

for research misconduct.

Misrepresentation

The definition replaces "fabrication" and "falsification" with the following: 

Misrepresentation. An investigator or reviewer shall not with intent to deceive,

or in reckless disregard for the truth, 

(a) state or present a material or significant falsehood, or 

(b) omit a fact so that what is stated or presented as a whole states or

presents a material or significant falsehood.

Precedents and Nature of Conduct

This definition of "misrepresentation" consciously excludes the common law elements of

reliance, causation, or damages, which are unnecessary--indeed inappropriate--in the

context of research misconduct.
75
11

 In re Popovic, Research Integrity Adjudications Panel, Departmental Appeals Board (No. A-93-1

Decision No. 1446, 

November 3, 1993.

76

The definition subsumes the terms "falsification and fabrication" in the current regulation and

includes an investigator's statement or presentation of a material or significant falsehood, by

act or omission. Omission of relevant data that materially affects an inference from the data

presented can be as culpable as an explicit misstatement. The facts of each case must be

scrutinized to ascertain whether, taken as a whole, a statement or presentation contains a

material falsehood as a result of any challenged omission.

The verb "present" makes clear that the concept extends to nonprose communications, as in

tables and graphs of data, and to noncommunicative acts, as, for example, in adding a dye

to a solution, or assembling a residue, with the intent falsely to suggest some process or

result that is not occurring. 

Mental State

The definition follows the interpretation of the current definition by the Departmental Appeals

Board to the effect that intent to deceive is an element of "research misconduct" because

the current definition excludes "honest error."11 The exclusions in the present definition of

"honest error" and "honest differences in interpretations or judgments of data" are

superseded and rendered unnecessary in the proposed definition by the explicitly stated

elements of intent to deceive and recklessness and by the explicit reference to "fact" in the

definition of "misrepresentation."

Conduct that is merely careless or inadvertent is not proscribed as "research misconduct." It

is intended that such conduct continue to be addressed by the high standards of grant

application review, institutional and professional standards for appointment, promotion,

publication, and other incentives.

One whose acts or omissions go beyond carelessness to recklessness may reasonably be

said to display insufficient trustworthiness for purposes of being eligible for PHS grant

support. 

Materiality and Significance

The extent of harm is an element of torts and crimes. Without condoning the undesirability

of immaterial wrongs, it is appropriate that a system of sanctions be invoked only for

material wrongs. Quality in research, on the other hand, depends in many instances on

meticulous attention to fine detail. The concept of "material or significant" must be refined

for the scientific context from case to case. "Material" and "significant," one a familiar legal

standard, the other a more common term in scientific discourse, are here intended to be

synonymous. One indicator of whether an item is material or significant may be whether it or

its absence would be reasonably likely to affect the plausibility, reproducibility, or eligibility for

funding of data, procedures, or conclusions.
77
12

 Carter v. Carter Coal Co., 298 U. S. 238 (1936), and Schechter Poultry Corp. v. U. S., 295 U. S. 495

(1935). See also Lime & Avocado Growers, Inc. v. Paul, 373 U. S. 132, 150-1 (1963).

13 See Connally v. General Construction Co., 269 U.S. 385, 391 (1926), Lanzetta v. New Jersey, 306

U.S. 451 (1939),

and Kolender v. Lawson, 461 U.S. 352 (1983).

78

Matters Not Included in the Definition

1. In general, crimes reflecting moral turpitude and other torts are not included in

"research misconduct," which is confined to matters peculiar to research. Nor is there

included misuse of grant funds or other financial wrongdoing. Such matters may be

pursued by other agencies to the extent that they constitute violations of applicable

law and regulations.

2. The offenses defined are not graduated. It remains properly a matter of enforcement

policy that, to the extent practicable, sanctions be applied evenly from respondent to

respondent based on the extent of misconduct established. 

3. No change is indicated in the standard for burden of proof applied by the

Departmental Appeals Board, which is that of "a preponderance of the evidence."

4. The "deviation" phrase in the present definition has been or could be criticized on

several grounds. These include: (1) it is vague because it refers to norms of conduct

that are not in fact established;12 (2) it effects an invalid delegation of executive

authority to private parties;13 and (3) as a matter of policy, it does not give scientists

notice of the conduct proscribed. The Federation of American Societies for

Experimental Biology (FASEB) also argued before the Commission that such phrase

violates Executive Order No. 12866 (September 30, 1993), which requires an

agency, as a precondition of any regulation, to "identify the problem" that the

regulation would purport to redress; the Director of ORI testified that the "deviation"

phrase has not proven necessary to the prosecution of any case. The definition of

"research misconduct" has not been reviewed by any federal court, and hence the

validity of the foregoing legal objections has not been resolved. 

With respect to the breadth for which the "deviation" phrase was designed, the proposed

definition is considerably more inclusive than the current. The former includes omissions

within misrepresentation, introduces misuse alongside the literal transcription that is

plagiarism, adds a new offense of interference, and penalizes recklessness as well as

intentional conduct. This breadth and the specificity of the proposed definition obviate need

for the "deviation" phrase. The ability to amend ORI's regulations protects against the

possibility that the proposed definition might later appear to omit mention of some wrongful

conduct. The phrase "include but are not limited to" that precedes the definitions of

misappropriation, interference, and misrepresentation invites the Secretary by future

regulation to close any gap that may emerge between such offenses and later discerned

wrongs.
79

Appendix E

Draft Whistleblower Protection

Guidelines

October 30, 1995

ORI GUIDELINES FOR INSTITUTIONS AND WHISTLEBLOWERS: RESPONDING TO

POSSIBLE RETALIATION AGAINST WHISTLEBLOWERS IN EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH

Introduction

The Office of Research Integrity (ORI), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS),

strongly believes in the importance of protecting whistleblowers who make good-faith

allegations of scientific misconduct to ORI or appropriate institutional authorities. In

particular, ORI is committed to protecting good-faith whistleblowers from retaliation by

covered institutions and their members.

By regulation, each extramural entity that applies for a biomedical or behavioral research,

research-training, or research-related grant or cooperative agreement under the Public

Health Service (PHS) Act must establish policies and procedures that provide for

"undertaking diligent efforts to protect the positions and reputations of those persons who, in

good faith, make allegations." 42 C.F.R. § 50.103(d)(13).

Although the regulation does not provide specific direction on how to protect whistleblowers,

ORI has determined that adherence to the policies and procedures set forth in these

Guidelines is one method of satisfying the requirements of the regulation. ORI will recognize

an institution's substantial conformity with these Guidelines as meeting the whistleblower

protection requirement of 42 C.F.R. § 50.103(d)(13). Specifically, each institution which

substantially adheres to Sections IV and V of these Guidelines in responding to

whistleblower retaliation complaints will be considered in technical compliance with the

regulatory whistleblower protection requirement.

However, institutions are free to disregard these Guidelines and adopt other procedures that

conform to the regulatory requirement.

If an institution elects to adopt these Guidelines, it must abide by each provision that uses

the operative word "shall." On the other hand, provisions which employ the words "should"

or "may" are merely practical suggestions. An institution will not be out of conformity with the

Guidelines if it fails to carry out these recommendations. Rather, an institution may

substitute 
80

for these suggested provisions alternative procedures that are consistent with the mandatory

provisions of these Guidelines and the regulatory whistleblower protection provisions.

In addition to the requirements of 42 C.F.R. § 50.103(d)(13), ORI encourages covered

institutions to adopt policies and procedures that conform to PHS Act § 493(e), a

whistleblower protection statute enacted by § 163 of the National Institutes of Health

Revitalization Act of 1993, although § 493 has not been implemented by regulation at the

time of this publication. Besides protecting good-faith allegations of scientific misconduct,

PHS Act § 493(e) mandates the protection of whistleblowers for (1) good-faith allegations of

an inadequate institutional response to scientific misconduct allegations and (2) good-faith

cooperation with investigations of such allegations. The statute covers allegations of

misconduct which involve research or research-related grants, contracts or cooperative

agreements under the PHS Act. 

ORI also encourages institutions to adopt principles consistent with the Whistleblower's Bill

of Rights recommended by the Commission on Research Integrity and to foster institutional

commitment to those principles. The specific principles of the Whistleblower's Bill of Rights

are as follows:

(1) Whistleblowers have the freedom to disclose lawfully information that evidences a

reasonable belief of research misconduct, 

(2) Institutions have a duty not to tolerate or engage in retaliation against good-faith

whistleblowers,

(3) Institutions have a duty to provide fair and objective procedures for the examination and

resolution of complaints, disputes and allegations of research misconduct, 

(4) Institutions have a duty to implement procedures that are not tainted by partiality arising

from personal or institutional conflict of interest or other sources of bias, 

(5) Institutions have a duty to elicit and evaluate fully and objectively information about

concerns raised by the whistleblower, 

(6) Institutions have a duty to handle cases involving alleged research misconduct as

expeditiously as possible without compromising responsible resolutions, and

(7) At the conclusion of proceedings, institutions have a responsibility to credit promptly, in

public and/or in private as appropriate, those whose allegations are substantiated. 

These Guidelines are consistent with the rights and responsibilities enumerated in the

Whistleblower's Bill of Rights.

While compliance with these Guidelines will satisfy the existing regulatory requirements at 42

C.F.R. § 50.103 (d)(13). This publication does not bind the Department in any way as to the

substantive provisions of the forthcoming new regulation implementing the whistleblower

protection statute, PHS Act § 493(e).
81
82

Purpose

The purpose of these Guidelines is to set forth ORI's suggested approach for handling

whistleblower retaliation cases which arise at covered institutions. Substantial adherence to

the Guidelines in each whistleblower case affords a "safe harbor" in which conforming

institutions will be deemed in compliance with § 50.103(d)(13) of the scientific misconduct

regulation. Although non-conformity with the specific procedures of these Guidelines does

not by itself indicate a regulatory infraction, ORI may review those cases which do not abide

by these Guidelines to determine whether an institution has taken diligent efforts to protect

the positions and reputations of good faith whistleblowers in compliance with the existing

regulatory requirement.

These Guidelines also provide information to whistleblowers on an appropriate method of

submitting retaliation complaints and subsequent procedures for resolving the complaints. 

ORI encourages whistleblowers to refer institutions to these Guidelines when making specific

complaints of retaliation.

These Guidelines apply to all instances of possible retaliation against whistleblowers whose

allegation of scientific misconduct is covered by 42 C.F.R. Part 50, Subpart A.

Definitions

"Adverse action" means any action taken by a covered institution or its members which

negatively affects the terms or conditions of the whistleblower's status at the institution,

including but not limited to his or her employment, academic matriculation, awarding of

degree, or institutional relationship established by grant, contract or cooperative agreement.

"Allegation" means any disclosure, whether by written or oral statement, or any other

communication, to an institutional, a Department of Justice (DOJ), or a DHHS official, that a

covered institution or member thereof has engaged in scientific misconduct. Allegations

made to any of the above officials may include communications to Congress.

 

"Arbitration" means the process described in this Part through which an unresolved dispute

regarding whistleblower retaliation is submitted to an arbitrator for a final and binding

decision.

"Arbitrator" means one or more impartial persons selected according to the rules of a

designated arbitration association who shall hear and decide whistleblower retaliation

complaints under this Part.

"Covered institution" means any entity, whether individual or corporate, which applies for or

receives funds under a research, research-training, or research-related grant or cooperative

agreement under the PHS Act. 
83

"Deciding official" means the official designated by the administrative head of a covered

institution to make a final institutional determination as to whether retaliation occurred.

"Good faith allegation" means an allegation of scientific misconduct made with a belief in the

truth of the allegation which a reasonable person in the whistleblower's position could hold

based upon the facts. An allegation is not in good faith if made with reckless disregard for or

willful ignorance of facts that would disprove the allegation.

"Institutional member, or member" means a person who is employed by, affiliated with under

a contract or agreement, or under the control of a covered institution. Institutional members

include but are not limited to administrative, teaching and support staff, researchers,

clinicians, technicians, fellows, students, and contractors and their employees.

"Office of Research Integrity (ORI)" means the office to which the Secretary has delegated

responsibility for addressing scientific misconduct issues related to PHS activities, including

the protection of good-faith whistleblowers.

"Responsible official" means the official designated by and reporting to the administrative

head of a covered institution to establish and implement the institution's whistleblower

policies.

"Retaliation" means any adverse action or credible threat of an adverse action taken by a

covered institution, or member thereof, in response to a whistleblower's good-faith allegation

of scientific misconduct.

"Scientific misconduct" means fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, or other practices that

seriously deviate from those that are commonly accepted within the scientific community for

proposing, conducting, or reporting research. It does not include honest error or honest

differences in interpretations or judgments of data.

"Whistleblower" means an individual who makes an allegation or indicates an intent to make

an allegation or what is perceived to be an allegation while a member of the institution at

which the alleged scientific misconduct occurred. 

Processing Whistleblower Retaliation Complaints

Responsible Official

1. Covered institutions shall designate a "responsible official" to establish and implement the

institution's whistleblower policies according to 42 C.F.R. § 50.103(d)(13) and these

Guidelines. The responsible official also serves as a liaison between the institution and ORI

for transmitting such information as ORI may require.

2. The responsible official shall be free of any real or apparent conflicts of interest in any

particular case.
84
1

 The institution may establish a longer period of time.

2

 The institution may establish a shorter period of time.

85

3. If involvement of the responsible official in a particular case creates a real or apparent

conflict of interest with the institution's obligation to protect good faith whistleblowers, and

the conflict cannot be satisfactorily resolved for that case, the administrative head shall

appoint a substitute responsible official who has no conflict of interest.

Notice of Institutional Policy

The institution shall provide to all its members notice of its whistleblower policies and these

Guidelines with Appendices (Whistleblower's Bill of Rights and Attachment to this guideline). 

The notice shall include the requirement set forth below regarding a whistleblower's deadline

for filing a retaliation complaint. The institution's policies and these Guidelines shall be either

disseminated or be publicized and made readily available to all institutional members. 

Filing Complaints

1. A whistleblower who wishes to receive the procedural protections described by these

Guidelines shall file his or her retaliation complaint with the responsible official at the

appropriate institution within 180 days1 from the date the whistleblower became aware or

should have become aware of the alleged adverse action. Covered institutions shall review

and resolve all whistleblower retaliation complaints and should do so within 180 days after

receipt of the complaint. If the whistleblower fails to receive an institutional response to the

complaint in accordance with these Guidelines within ten (10) working days,2 the

whistleblower may file the retaliation complaint directly with ORI at the following address: 

Office of Research Integrity

Division of Policy and Education

5515 Security Lane, Suite 700

Rockville, MD 20852

Telephone: (301) 443-5300

Fax: (301) 594-0042

ORI will forward such complaints to the institution's responsible official for appropriate action.

2. In addition to prospective complaints, institutions may apply these Guidelines to

complaints of retaliation made prior to the effective date of the institution's adoption of these

Guidelines. 

3. The retaliation complaint must include a description of the whistleblower's scientific

misconduct allegation and the asserted adverse action, or threat thereof, against the

whistleblower, by the institution or its members in response to the allegation. If the

retaliation complaint is incomplete, the responsible official shall describe to the whistleblower
3

 The institution may establish a shorter period of time consistent with footnote 2.

4

 The institution may establish a shorter period of time.

86

what additional information is needed in order to meet the minimum requirements of a

complaint under this Part.

Responding to Complaints

1. Upon receipt of a whistleblower retaliation complaint, the responsible official shall notify

the whistleblower of receipt within ten (10) working days3 after receipt. The notice shall also

inform the whistleblower of which process under Section V of the Guidelines the institution

proposes to follow in resolving the retaliation complaint and the necessary actions by the

whistleblower required under that process. The notice shall also notify the whistleblower of

his/her choice of responses listed below. 

2. The whistleblower may raise any concerns about the proposed process and the institution

may modify the process in response the whistleblower's concerns.

3. The whistleblower has five working days from the date of the initial notification in Part 1

above to

a. accept the proposed process, although the whistleblower may also submit

documentation for the official record about any concerns he/she may have about the

proposed process; or

b. not accept the proposed process and may seek other remedies.

4. If the whistleblower does not accept the proposed process, the institution may, but is not

required to, propose the alternative option under Section V of the Guidelines.

5. The institution shall notify ORI of any whistleblower retaliation complaint it receives within

ten (10) working days4 after receipt of the complaint.

Interim Protections

1. At any time before the merits of a whistleblower retaliation complaint have been fully

resolved, the whistleblower may submit a written request to the responsible official to take

interim actions to protect the whistleblower against an existing adverse action or credible

threat of an adverse action by the institution or member.

2. Based on the available evidence, the responsible official shall make a determination of

whether to provide interim protections and shall advise the whistleblower of its decision in

writing. Documentation underlying the decision whether to provide interim protections shall

become part of the record of the complaint. When the whistleblower retaliation complaint is

fully resolved, any temporary measure taken to protect the whistleblower shall be

discontinued or replaced with permanent remedies.
87
88

Resolving Complaints

1. For each whistleblower retaliation complaint received, a covered institution shall adhere to

one of the two alternative processes for resolving the whistleblower retaliation complaint, or

settle the complaint, as described below. 

2. Whichever process is elected shall be implemented in a timely fashion. The process

should be completed within 180 days of the date the complaint is filed, unless the

whistleblower agrees to an extension of time. The institution shall promptly report the final

outcome of either process or any settlement to ORI.

3. If the whistleblower declines the institution's proposed process according to these

Guidelines, he/she may pursue any other legal rights available to the whistleblower for

resolution of the retaliation complaint. However, ORI will deem the institution to have met its

obligation under 42 C.F.R. § 50.103(d)(13) and will not pursue the whistleblower complaint

further.

Option A: Institutional Investigation

1. If the institution elects Option A, the institution shall conduct an investigation of the

whistleblower retaliation complaint according to these Guidelines and implement appropriate

administrative remedies consistent with the investigation's finding and institutional decision

thereon.

2. An investigation of whistleblower retaliation shall be timely, objective, thorough, and

competent. The investigation should be conducted by a panel of at least three (3)

individuals appointed by the responsible official. The members of the investigation panel,

who may be from outside the institution, shall have no personal or professional relationship

or other conflict of interest with the whistleblower or the alleged individual retaliator(s), and

shall be qualified to conduct a thorough and competent investigation.

3. The investigation shall include the collection and examination of all relevant evidence,

including interviews with the whistleblower, the alleged retaliator(s), and any other individual

who can provide relevant and material information regarding the claimed retaliation.

4. The institution shall fully cooperate with the investigation and use all available

administrative means to secure testimony, documents, and other materials relevant to the

investigation.

5. The confidentiality of all participants in the investigation shall be maintained to the

maximum extent possible throughout the investigation.

6. The Panel members shall evaluate objectively and respond accordingly to any concerns

raised by the whistleblower, including the identity of the deciding official, responsible official

and specific panel members prior to resolution of the complaint.
89

7. The conclusions of the investigation shall be documented in a written report and made

available to the parties. The report should include findings of fact, a list of witnesses

interviewed, an analysis of the evidence, and a detailed description of the investigative

process.

8. The deciding official shall make a final institutional determination as to whether retaliation

occurred. This decision shall be based on the report, the record of the investigation, and a

preponderance of evidence standard.

9. If there is a determination that retaliation has occurred, the deciding official shall

determine what remedies are appropriate to satisfy the institution's regulatory obligation to

protect whistleblowers. The deciding official shall, in consultation with the whistleblower,

take measures to protect and/or restore the whistleblower's position and reputation, including

making any public or private statements, as appropriate. In addition the deciding official

may impose any protections against further retaliation by establishing a system to monitor or

discipline the retaliator.

10. The institution shall promptly notify ORI of its conclusions and remedies, if any, and

forward the underlying investigation report to ORI.

11. The ORI will review the institutional report to determine whether the institution has

substantially followed the process described herein. If the institution has substantially

conformed to the process, ORI will not review the merits of the institutional determination

under Paragraph 8.

12. Institutional compliance with Section V does not bar the whistleblower from challenging

the process or the objectivity, thoroughness, competence, or results of the process, under

State law, institutional procedure, policy or agreement, or as otherwise provided by law.

Option B: Arbitration

1. If the institution elects Option B, the institution shall offer the whistleblower the

opportunity to submit the retaliation dispute to binding arbitration. The parties shall sign a

written agreement that the retaliation dispute will be decided by final and binding arbitration,

identifying by whom the arbitration will be conducted.

2. The arbitration agreement shall specify that the institution and the whistleblower abrogate

all other rights under Federal, State and local law, and other institutional policies or

employment agreements pertinent to the resolution of the whistleblower retaliation complaint,

other than enforcement of the arbitration award. However, the parties may enter into any

legally enforceable settlement agreement before a final arbitration award is made. A sample

arbitration agreement is attached.

3. Any retaliation complaint submitted to arbitration shall be arbitrated according to the rules

and procedures of the presiding arbitrator and designated arbitration association. 

4. An arbitration under these Guidelines shall be conducted by an arbitrator who has no

personal or professional relationship or conflict of interest with the whistleblower, the 
90

institution, the alleged retaliator(s), or any person who is the subject of the underlying

scientific misconduct allegation. The institution and the whistleblower shall agree on the

choice of arbitrator. The arbitration should be facilitated by the American Arbitration

Association or any other recognized non-profit arbitration association.

5. The institution and the whistleblower shall share equally the administrative costs of the

arbitration. Each party is responsible for the cost of presenting its own case. 

6. The arbitration agreement shall specify that the arbitrator shall require the institution to

compensate the whistleblower for part or all of his or her arbitration costs, including attorney

fees, if the arbitrator finds that the institution, or its members, retaliated against the

whistleblower.

7. The arbitration agreement shall also specify that the arbitrator shall require the

whistleblower to compensate the institution for part or all of any filing fees and arbitrator's

costs if the arbitrator finds that the whistleblower's allegation of scientific misconduct was not

made in good faith. If an institution seeks compensation on this basis, it shall make a

preliminary motion to dismiss the retaliation complaint prior to commencement of a hearing. 

The arbitrator shall, if possible, make a threshold decision on the question of good faith

based on written submissions prior to commencement of a hearing on the merits of the

retaliation dispute. The institution has the burden of proving by a preponderance of the

evidence that the allegation of scientific misconduct was not made in good faith.

8. The arbitration agreement shall specify a preponderance of the evidence standard in

determining whether retaliation occurred or any other standard mutually agreed to by the

parties. 

9. The arbitration agreement shall state that the arbitrator's award is final and binding on all

parties, and enforceable as provided by law.

10. If the arbitrator finds that the institution, or its members, retaliated against the

whistleblower, the arbitrator may order any relief necessary to make the whistleblower whole

for the direct or indirect consequences of retaliation, including protection against further

retaliation through imposing a system to monitor or discipline the retaliator. The institution

shall abide by the arbitrator's final award and shall implement any additional administrative

actions it determines is necessary to correct the retaliation.

11. The institution shall promptly forward a copy of the final arbitration award to ORI.

Settlement

In lieu of the two options described above, an institution and whistleblower may, at any time

after the retaliation complaint is made, enter into any binding settlement agreement which

finally resolves the retaliation complaint. If both parties agree, the responsible official shall

facilitate such settlements. If such an agreement is reached, the institution and the

whistleblower shall sign a statement indicating that the retaliation complaint has been

resolved. 
91

The institution shall within 30 days send a copy of the signed statement to ORI. ORI does

not require a copy of the actual terms of the settlement. The settlement may not restrict the

whistleblower from cooperating with any investigation of an allegation protected by 42 C.F.R.

Part 50, Subpart A. ORI shall consider a settlement meeting these requirements as fulfilling

the institution's regulatory obligation under 42 C.F.R. § 50.103(d)(13).

Institutional Compliance

At any time ORI may review a covered institution's compliance with 42 C.F.R.

§ 50.103(d)(13) and these Guidelines to the extent that the institution relies on these

Guidelines for regulatory compliance. Covered institutions and their members shall

cooperate with any such review and provide ORI access to all relevant records. If a covered

institution's procedures and implementation thereof substantially conforms to Sections IV

and V above, it shall be deemed to have met its whistleblower protection obligation under 42

C.F.R. § 50.103(d)(13).
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ATTACHMENT

Sample Arbitration Agreement to Resolve 

Whistleblower Retaliation Complaint

1. Name of whistleblower ("Complainant") and institution agree that Complainant's

whistleblower retaliation complaint against institution and/or members will be submitted to an

arbitration proceeding for final resolution of that complaint. Specifically, the parties agree to

abide by all of the provisions of this Agreement. Moreover, the parties agree to abrogate all

other rights under Federal, State, or local law, and other institutional policies or employment

agreements pertinent to the resolution of the whistleblower retaliation complaint, other than

enforcement of the arbitration award. This Agreement may not be modified in any manner

absent the consent of both parties.

2. Complainant and institution agree that the arbitration shall be conducted by name of

arbitrator according to the rules of arbitration association. The parties agree that arbitrator

has no professional or personal relationship or conflict of interest with any of the parties.

3. Institution and Complainant agree to share equally the administrative costs of the

arbitration proceeding subject to modification by the arbitrator as part of his/her final award. 

Each party shall be responsible for the costs of presenting its own case subject to

modification by the arbitrator as part of his/her final award. The arbitrator shall modify the

allocation of costs in favor of the whistleblower including the award of attorney's fees if the

arbitrator finds that institution and/or members retaliated against the whistleblower. 

The arbitrator shall modify the allocation of costs and dismiss the retaliation dispute in favor

of institution if the arbitrator finds that Complainant's allegation of scientific misconduct was

not made in good faith. The institution, however, shall be compensated only if it has timely

made a preliminary motion to dismiss the retaliation claim on the basis that the allegation of

scientific misconduct was not made in good faith, and proves its contention by a

preponderance of the evidence.

4. The arbitrator's award shall be limited to Complainant's whistleblower retaliation claim. By

submitting this dispute to arbitration under this Agreement, the parties agree that the

retaliation claim will be fully settled under this Agreement, shall be dropped from all pending

suits, and shall not be part of any future suits in any court of law other than suits to enforce

the arbitration award.

5. The arbitrator shall apply a preponderance of the evidence standard in determining

whether retaliation occurred [or any other standard mutually agreed to by the parties].

6. Upon completion of the parties' presentations, the arbitrator shall render an award which

is final and binding upon both parties. The arbitrator shall grant any remedy or relief that the

arbitrator deems just and equitable and is consistent with 42 C.F.R. § 50.103(d)(13) and 
93

Sections IV and V of the ORI Guidelines. The arbitrator's award is not appealable before

any court of law and may be enforced by the prevailing party in court or otherwise.

__________________ ________________ 

(whistleblower) Date

__________________ ________________ 

(institution) Date
94

Appendix F

Abbreviations

AAMC Association of American Medical Colleges

DAB Departmental Appeals Board at DHHS

DHHS Department of Health and Human Services 

FFP Fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism 

HHS Health and Human Services (as in "Secretary of...")

MIM Misappropriation, interference, and misrepresentation

NIH National Institutes of Health 

NSF National Science Foundation 

ORI Office of Research Integrity

OSI Office of Scientific Integrity 

OSIR Office of Scientific Integrity Review 

PHS Public Health Service

RIAP Research Integrity Adjudications Panel at the DAB

*U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1996-746-425