General Requirements
Research misconduct transcends honest errors and errors caused through negligence. The practices of making up data or results (fabrication), changing or misreporting data or results (falsification), and using the ideas or words of another person (plagiarism) all represent deception. These acts of misconduct not only undermine progress but the entire set of values on which the scientific enterprise rests[1]. RCR is applicable across all academic disciplines and areas of study.
Responsible conduct in research specifically prohibits the following:[2]
- Using another's work for a research assignment or presenting the work of another as one's own.
- Using unauthorized materials for a research assignment.
- Copying data from another source without a proper citation.
- Any other appropriation of another's intellectual property without proper attribution.
Use of Human Subjects in Research
The IRB's major role is to safeguard the rights and welfare of all human subjects who participate in research projects conducted by employees and students of the University of New Haven. All research projects involving human subjects or human material must be reviewed and approved by the IRB. All biomedical, social, and behavioral research projects are subject to the IRB.
The overall criteria for IRB approval are:
- The risks to subjects are minimized as much as possible.
- The risks to subjects are reasonable in relation to anticipated benefits.
- The informed consent is adequate.
- Where appropriate, the research plan makes provisions for the safety of the subjects during the data collection process.
- Where appropriate, there are adequate provisions to protect the privacy of subjects and maintain confidentiality of data.
- Appropriate safeguards are included within the study to protect the rights and welfare of the vulnerable subjects.
- Unauthorized experiments are prohibited.
Use of Animals in Research
In order to comply with federal law, including the 1996 Animal Welfare Act, research facilities are required to maintain an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) to oversee the use of live animals. The use of live non-human vertebrate animals requires approval by the University of New Haven IACUC. Use of live vertebrate animals by students for independent research requires the approval of both the project supervisor and the University of New Haven Institutional Animal Use and Care Committee prior to the start of research activities.
Overall criteria for IACUC approval are:
- The use of animals has scientific or educational merit and there is no suitable non-animal alternative.
- Proper housing for the animals is available and will be utilized.
- The animals will be treated humanely, with appropriate practices in place.
- Animals that are sacrificed at the conclusion of the use will be euthanized in an appropriate manner and the organisms disposed of appropriately.
- Preserved specimens and non-vertebrate animals do not require specific approval unless Department rules state otherwise.
Violations of RCR policy will be adjudicated in accordance with the relevant Academic Misconduct Policy & Procedures
All students who receive University or external support or credit for research projects will be required to take specialized RCR training before initiating the projects.
[1] RCR tutorial created by the Center on Materials and Devices for Information Technology Research (at http://www.responsibleresearch.org/ accessed 10/16/2011) with the support of the National Science Foundation DMR #0120967.
[2] Academic Misconduct Policy & Procedures Effective 8/22/2025.
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