C. Definitions

1. Research Misconduct

   "Research misconduct" is defined as fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, or reviewing research, or in reporting research results, or the failure to comply with governmental regulations.

   • Fabrication means making up data or results, and recording or reporting them.
   • Falsification means 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 means the appropriation of another person's ideas, processes, results, or words without giving appropriate credit.
   • Failure to comply means a material failure to comply with governmental or university regulations that apply to the research.

   Research misconduct does not include honest error or honest differences in choice of methodology, interpretations or judgments of data.

   A finding of research misconduct requires that:

   • there is a significant departure from accepted practices of the relevant research community;
   • the misconduct is committed intentionally, or knowingly, or recklessly;
   • the allegation is proven by a preponderance of the evidence.
2. Inquiry

   An inquiry consists of preliminary information-gathering and preliminary fact-finding to determine whether an allegation or an apparent instance of misconduct has substance. The outcome of an inquiry is a determination as to whether or not an investigation is to be conducted.

3. Investigation

   An investigation is a formal examination and evaluation of relevant facts to determine whether or not misconduct has taken place.

4. Complainant

   The individual who is making the allegation of research misconduct.

5. Respondent

   The individual who is the subject of an allegation of research misconduct.