1. Academic

  2. Policy

Research Misconduct Policy

Introduction 

General Policy Considerations

Consistent with Bryant’s student-centered core values expressed in the University’s mission to “educate and inspire students to discover their passion and become innovative leaders with character around the world,” the University holds its faculty, research staff, and students to the highest ethical standards in the conduct of research.

Bryant seeks to prevent any instances of research misconduct, and takes seriously the need to investigate possible instances, while protecting the positions and reputations of those who file complaints in good faith, witnesses, and those asked to serve on committees, so that any necessary investigations may proceed without fear or favor.

Supervisors must enforce these high ethical standards for conducting research and creating and maintaining records of the research. The risk of misconduct increases in an environment where there is a lack or deficiency of supervision.

Specifically, faculty supervisors, principal investigators, laboratory and center directors and Department Chairs, should clearly articulate standards and protocols for research, scholarship, and creative work, through discussion and review of research, and, when possible, with written guidelines and training that adhere to best practices.

The appropriate institutional response to research misconduct will vary with the facts and circumstances of each case. Bryant has recourse to a variety of disciplinary actions against individuals whose conduct violates this policy, including, in severe cases and following applicable procedures, expulsion of a student or termination of an employee.

These Policies and Procedures for Responding to Allegations of Research Misconduct are made available to faculty, students, staff and the public, on Bryant’s Policy Directory website located at https://policies.bryant.edu

Scope

This statement of policy and procedures is intended to carry out Bryant’s federally-mandated responsibilities under the Public Health Service (PHS) Policies on Research Misconduct, 42 CFR Part 93, as well as the corresponding policies and procedures on research misconduct issued by other funding sources, for example, the NSF at 45 CFR 689. In such cases, the requirements of this policy, as well as any additional regulatory requirements, must be followed. 

This document describes the policies and procedures to be followed in response to allegations of research misconduct (fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, or reviewing research, or in reporting results) when these acts involve a person who, at the time of the alleged research misconduct, was employed by, was an agent of, or was affiliated by contract or agreement with Bryant University.  

When these procedures are being used to carry out Bryant University’s responsibilities under PHS regulations, they apply only in the following situations:

1. PHS-supported biomedical or behavioral research, research training or activities related to that research or research training, such as, but not limited to, the operation of tissue and data banks and the dissemination of research information;

2. applications or proposals for PHS support for biomedical or behavioral research, research training, or activities related to that research or research training; or 

3. plagiarism of research records produced in the course of PHS-supported research, research training, or activities related to that research or research training.  This includes any research proposed, performed, reviewed, or reported, or any research record generated from that research, regardless of whether an application or proposal for PHS funds resulted in a grant, contract, cooperative agreement, or other form of PHS support.

This statement of policy and procedures does not apply to authorship or collaboration disputes and applies only to allegations of research misconduct that occurred within six years of the date that Bryant University or the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) received the allegation, subject to the subsequent use, health or safety of the public, and grandfather exceptions in 42 CFR § 93.105(b).

Allegations of research misconduct involving Bryant students shall be referred to the Dean of Students for consideration, according to established University procedures. In cases where alleged student misconduct arises in connection with work that is funded by a federal agency, the Dean of Students shall notify the research integrity officer and keep him or her informed of the progress of proceedings, so that any required reports to the relevant federal agency can be made in a timely manner.