Research misconduct (RM) is behavior in which the research record is distorted by reporting false or misleading data, or by misattribution of credit for work, ideas, data, or words.

Funding agencies and UNM have a vested interest in ensuring that their research resources are not wasted. The research community has an expectation that results reported in the literature are accurate and that they can be built upon by others. When research misconduct occurs, resources (including those spent on follow up studies) are wasted and the research community is misled. In addition, high profile research misconduct erodes the public’s trust in the research process.

UNM’s definition of research misconduct, consistent with federal regulations, is:

“Fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, conducting, reporting, or reviewing sponsored or unsponsored research.”

In addition: “The misconduct must have been committed intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly.”

UNM’s RM policy and procedures are outlined in UNM Faculty Handbook E40: Research Misconduct.

Under this policy, only falsification, fabrication, or plagiarism are considered and investigated by ORIC.

This definition is in line with the US Public Health Services Office of Research Integrity: Scope of Research Misconduct (May 27, 2021).

Research misconduct (RM) is, generally, behavior that distorts the research record. Its official definition, as outlined in UNM FHB Policy E40 and federal regulations establish the following as actionable RM: 

• Fabrication- making up data or results and recording or reporting them.
• Falsification- 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- the appropriation of another person’s ideas, processes, results, or words without giving appropriate credit.

These standards apply to presentations, publications, funding proposals, and reports to funders. Knowing, intentional, or reckless reporting of fabricated, falsification, or plagiarized research is subject to UNM’s RM process as outlined in FHB E40.

ORIC cannot act on the following:

1. Authorship disputes. In general, these are not considered research misconduct. UNM has, however, established a process by which such disputes can be resolved.
2. Intellectual property/data ownership disputes. Faculty Handbook E70 establishes that “Works created by pre-arranged contractual obligation with substantial directed investment of UNM facilities or funds (exclusive of creators' salary) or in the performance of a written UNM work assignment or commission to create such a work… are owned by UNM.” This includes data generated under these conditions.
3. Academic disputes: Disputes arising from allegations that thesis/dissertation work was done improperly or is of poor quality. ORIC will act if falsification, fabrication, or plagiarism is alleged for a pubished thesis/dissertation or in a public defense of thesis/dissertation work.
4. Allegations against someone who is at another institution and who has never had an affiliation with UNM.
5. Allegations older than 6 years old.

Remember that the purpose of alleging RM should be directed only toward correcting the research record. This process is not to be used merely to settle personal conflicts. Misuse of the RM process, including reporting in bad faith, may be subject to disciplinary action.

Falsification, fabrication, and/or plagiarism can be reported directly to ORIC at ORICgeneral@unm.edu. Please keep in mind that such reports are not anonymous.

If you are unsure if what you want to report is RM, you can also contact the UNM Research Integrity Officer at 505-277-1045 to discuss it hypothetically. Although the RIO will do their best to address your question anonymously, certain information that you reveal may compromise your confidentiality or that of the person you are reporting.

If you want to report anonymously, you may do so by reporting through EthicsPoint, UNM’s ethics hotline. The hotline can be reached at 1-888-899-6092 or by using the online EthicsPoint reporting portal. Please have as much information as possible regarding the alleged falsification, fabrication or plagiarism when you make these reports because we cannot pursue unsubstantiated reports.

There are two things you should keep in mind when you report:

1. You are protected from retaliation for reporting by UNM and Federal policies. See UNM Policy on Whistle Blowing. This policy does not prevent retaliation, but offers some recourse if you experience it.
2. Reports not made in good faith will be dealt with through University disciplinary procedures.

For allegations concerning academic plagiarism or other academic misconduct, or misconduct that does not include falsification, fabrication, or plagiarism, please use the UNM Compliance Hotline, which will direct your report to the appropriate office.

One key part of the definition of RM is that it must be committed “intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly”. We recognize that everyone makes mistakes and that Federal regulations are defining several “questionable research practices” (QRP) that, while they do not rise to the level of RM, should be actively avoided.

The biggest key to preventing RM or QRP is education. ORIC, in conjunction with the Office of the Vice President for Research, hosts the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training certification program. This training is required by certain federal funders and is, in general, important training for the whole of your research career. Please see the RCR Certification page for more information: https://researchcompliance.unm.edu/research-integrity/responsible-conduct-of-research-certification.html.