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                            Integrity of Scientific and Scholarly Activities


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                  Integrity of Scientific and Scholarly Activities

*"Science and scholarship play a vital role in the Department’s mission, providing one of several critical inputs to decision-making on conservation and responsible development of natural resources, preservation of cultural resources, and responsibilities to tribal communities. Scientific information considered in Departmental decision-making must be robust, of the highest quality, and the result of as rigorous a set of scientific processes as can be achieved. Most importantly, the information must be trustworthy.”*
305 DM 3.4
***The purpose of the policy*** is to establish the expectations for how scientific and scholarly information considered in Departmental decision making is handled and used. Scholarly information considered in Departmental decision making must be robust, of the highest quality, and the result of as rigorous scientific and scholarly processes as can be achieved. Most importantly, it must be trustworthy. This policy helps us to achieve that standard.
***The goals of the policy*** are to ensure that DOI:
Decisions are based on science and scholarship are respected as credible;
Science is conducted with integrity and excellence;
Has a culture of scientific and scholarly integrity that is enduring;
Scientists and scholars are widely recognized for excellence; and
Employees are proud to uphold the high standards & lead by example.**The policy applies to** all DOI employees, including political appointees, as well as, contractors, cooperators, partners, permittees, leasees, grantees, and volunteers, when they engage in, supervise, manage, or influence scientific and scholarly activities, or communicate information about the Department"s scientific and scholarly activities, or utilize scientific and scholarly information in making agency policy, management or regulatory decisions.
**The policy creates** bureau level Scientific Integrity Officers (BSIOs) and an agency-wide Scientific Integrity Officer (DSIO). SIOs are the primary point of contact for the policy implementation and they are the leads for initial review of any allegation of loss of integrity.
**The policy is available** in the DOI Departmental Manual.
**The policy creates a mechanism** to assess an allegation of loss of scientific and scholarly integrity. See section 3.8 of the policy. Also see Scientific Integrity Procedures Handbook.
**The policy creates a process** to allow scientists to engage with their communities of practice (professional societies). See section 3.9 of the policy. Also see Scientific Integrity Procedures Handbook.
**The policy establishes** the DOI Code of Scientific and Scholarly Conduct (PDF poster of the Code).
Frequently asked questions about the policy**The policy establishes** the Scientific Integrity Officers.
Contact information for Department and Bureau Scientific Integrity Officers**The policy establishes**a process for reviewing allegations of loss of scientific integrity.
Closed scientific integrity casesReturn to top
    
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