Research Integrity

Integrity in research and scholarship is an obligation of all who engage in the acquisition, application, and dissemination of knowledge. All faculty, staff, and students should become familiar with the WVU research integrity policy since it governs their activities in research and scholarly work. Research misconduct is defined as fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, or other practices that seriously deviate from those that are commonly accepted within the scholarly community for proposing, conducting, or reporting research. Failure to comply with federal, state, or institutional requirements related to research integrity would constitute misconduct, as would retaliation against individuals who allege research misconduct or who cooperate in inquiries or investigations in cases of misconduct.

Research and scholarly work by West Virginia University faculty, staff, and students is governed by a document entitled "Policy and Procedures for Responding to Allegations of Misconduct in Research and Scholarship at West Virginia University." All members of the University community have an obligation to report observed, suspected, or apparent misconduct in research. Reports should be made to the University's Research Integrity Officer. Regular reviews of the status of research integrity at WVU is conducted by the Research Integrity Policy Committee, a standing committee with representatives from every campus.