Overview of Research Misconduct and How to Report it
Illinois Institute of Technology's Research Integrity Officer (RIO), Fred Hickernell, manages reports of potential research misconduct carried out by any Illinois Tech faculty, students, or staff.
Although anyone internal or external to Illinois Tech can report such misconduct, all Illinois Tech associates (e.g., students, staff, post-docs, visiting scholars, faculty) must report an observation of potential research misconduct. A report of potential research misconduct can be submitted via any means of communication to Illinois Tech's RIO; to the Illinois Tech Provost; or via EthicsPoint, which is a phone- and Internet-based reporting system designed to promote ethical behavior in the workplace.
What is Research Misconduct?
Illinois Institute of Technology's Policy on Review of Alleged Research Misconduct defines research misconduct as:
- Plagiarism: the appropriation of another person's ideas, processes, results or words without giving appropriate credit.
- Falsification: manipulating research materials, equipment or processes or changing or omitting data or results such that research is not accurately represented in the research record.
- Fabrication: making up data or results and recording or reporting them.
Procedure for Reviewing Allegations of Research Misconduct
Illinois Institute of Technology Policy on the Review of Alleged Research Misconduct establishes a three-phase review process: allegation, inquiry and investigation. Please refer to the Illinois Tech policy on Review of Alleged Research Misconduct for full details.
Although there may be other types of questionable or inappropriate research-related behaviors, Illinois Tech's Research Integrity Officer only processes allegations of plagiarism, falsification, or fabrication. For example, disputes about authorship or research credit, or relational disputes between co-authors, do not fall within the scope of Illinois Tech's Policy on Review of Alleged Research Misconduct. Grievances and disputes not falling within the definitions of plagiarism, falsification, or fabrication may be brought to other offices at Illinois Tech, such as: