Research Misconduct Overview

Research Misconduct means fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, or reviewing research, or in reporting research results. A finding of research misconduct requires that (1) there be a significant departure from accepted practices of the relevant research community; (2) the misconduct be committed intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly; and (3) the allegation be proven by a preponderance of the evidence. Research misconduct does not include honest error or differences of opinion.

• Fabrication is making up data or results and recording or reporting them.
• Falsification is manipulating research materials, equipment, or processes, or changing or omitting data or results such that the research is not accurately represented in the research record.
• Plagiarism is appropriation of another person's ideas, processes, results, or words without giving appropriate credit.

Auburn University's Policy on Research Misconduct was developed to effect compliance with federal regulations for handling allegations of research misconduct and managing research misconduct proceedings. Allegations of research misconduct made against any faculty, staff, or student of the University involved in research or research training, application for support of research or research training, or related research activities shall be handled according to the policies and procedures included in Auburn's policy statement on Research Misconduct.  This policy and the associated procedures apply to sponsored and non-sponsored research.