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Research Integrity: Home

Guidance for CSHL Faculty on using the Integrity Manager tool.

Research Integrity at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

Research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) must be conducted with the highest standards of scientific and ethical integrity, adhering to the core values of excellence, pushing frontiers, collaboration, and education. 

The National Science and Technology Council in "A Framework for Federal Scientific Integrity Policy and Practice" (p. 8) defines scientific integrity as:

"the adherence to professional practices, ethical behavior, and the principles of honesty and objectivity when conducting, managing, using the results of, and communicating about science and scientific activities. Inclusivity, transparency, and protection from inappropriate influence are hallmarks of scientific integrity." 

To instill and maintain the highest standards for scientific integrity, CSHL requires training in the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) for undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows. RCR training is required of individuals receiving funding from the NIH or NSF. Please visit the Research Compliance Intranet Website for additional information about this training. 

One of the foundational ways that researchers can uphold scientific integrity is to educate themselves on the best practices in the responsible conduct of research (RCR). This guide is not a substitute for an RCR course but offers additional information and resources for the CSHL scientific community for major topics in the responsible conduct of research:

CSHL Research Misconduct Policy

The CSHL Research Misconduct Policy (p. 3) defines research misconduct as:

"Fabrication, Falsification, or Plagiarism in proposing, performing, or reviewing research, or in reporting research results, and also includes any other serious deviations or significant departures from accepted and professional research practices, such as the mistreatment or abuse of human or animal research subjects." 

Research misconduct does not include honest error or reasonable differences of opinion in interpretations or judgements of data.  

Important Definitions:

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

Additional Misconduct Policies: