This course provides a thorough exploration of research misconduct, focusing on the three legally defined forms of serious misconduct: fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism (FFP). Participants will examine how misconduct undermines the integrity of science, damages public trust, and carries severe legal, financial, and career consequences.
Drawing on U.S. federal regulations such as 42 C.F.R. Part 93, guidance from the Office of Research Integrity (ORI), National Science Foundation (NSF), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other funding agencies, the course goes beyond theory to give practical, operational know-how. Learners will master the procedures for handling allegations, conducting investigations, ensuring due process, and implementing preventive systems.
Real case studies—including high-profile retractions and enforcement actions—illustrate how fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism occur in different disciplines (biomedical, engineering, social science, and humanities) and how institutions and regulators respond.
This course is designed for principal investigators, graduate students, postdocs, research administrators, compliance officers, attorneys, editors, and funding agency staff responsible for ensuring the integrity of research.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
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Understand the legal definition and scope of research misconduct as specified in U.S. federal regulations (42 C.F.R. Part 93) and funding agency policies.
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Identify the hallmarks of fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism (FFP) and distinguish them from honest error or differences of opinion.
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Navigate the procedural steps from allegation to investigation and final adjudication, ensuring fairness and due process.
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Implement robust prevention and education strategies, including mentorship, recordkeeping, and data management.
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Assess institutional, professional, and legal consequences, including funding debarment, civil liability, criminal exposure, and reputational harm.
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Address emerging challenges such as image manipulation, AI-generated content, and data-sharing in a global research environment.
