The preceptor should supervise the design of experiments and the processes of acquiring, recording, examining, interpreting, and storing data. The editing of manuscripts alone does not constitute adequate supervision by the preceptor. Preceptors should have realistic expectations regarding the performance of trainees and other research personnel and should inform them of these expectations. Collegial discussions among all preceptors and trainees constituting a research unit should be held regularly both to contribute to the scientific efforts of the members of the group and to provide informal peer review. Preceptors should be alert to behavioral changes in trainees or other research personnel that may indicate inordinate personal or academic stresses or substance abuse.
Stresses are particularly likely to occur at times of transition or as deadlines approach.
Since the care with which research activities are conducted may be adversely affected by stress, a trainee or employee may need closer supervision at such times. The retention of accurately recorded results is of utmost importance for the progress of scientific research. Errors may be mistakenly characterized as misconduct when the primary experimental results are unavailable. Moreover, a common denominator in most cases of alleged research fraud has been the absence of a complete set of verifiable data. The rules and recommendations in this section are designed to ensure that all research data are recorded appropriately and that access to them will be available when necessary.