Jump to section:

  1. Whom do I contact to report a concern?
  2. What are the responsibilities of researchers?
  3. How is research misconduct defined?
  4. Does the UI have an anti-retaliation policy for whistleblowers? What is the process for processing retaliation complains?
  5. Are there training opportunities available?
  6. Relevant policies, procedures, and links
     

1. Whom do I contact to report a concern?

The University of Iowa research integrity officer is:

Mike Andrews
Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR)
2660 UCC
319-335-2106

University policy also provides that allegations of research misconduct may be made to the vice president for research or the provost. 

2. What are the responsibilities of researchers?

Researchers—faculty, staff, and students—must be honest in the conduct of research, avoid deliberate distortion or misrepresentation, and take precautions to prevent error.

Steps that researchers can take to promote an environment that minimizes research misconduct include:

  • Accepting responsibility for the quality of work produced by themselves and their collaborators, with an emphasis on quality and significance rather than quantity and visibility
  • Including as authors only those who have made substantive contributions to the research; all authors share responsibility for the reported work
  • Retaining research data and records for at least five years after publication to allow verification of results

The complete responsibilities of researchers are available in the UI Policy Manual:

3. How is research misconduct defined?

Research misconduct is defined as fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, reporting, or reviewing research or research results. 

4. Does the UI have an anti-retaliation policy for whistleblowers? What is the process for retaliation complaints?

Yes, the university’s anti-retaliation policy and the procedures for processing complaints are outlined in Section II- 27.8 of the Policy Manual.

5. Are training opportunities available?

Review Section 5a: Responsible Conduct of Research Training for more information. 

6. Relevant policies, procedures, and links

Visit the OVPR’s Research Misconduct website for links to federal and state laws and regulations.