Research Misconduct

Research Misconduct is defined as fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, or reviewing research, or in reporting research results. (see DHHS ORI or NSF 45-CFR-689)

(a) Fabrication is making up data or results and recording or reporting them.

(b) Falsification is 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.

(c) Plagiarism is the appropriation of another person's ideas, processes, results, or words without giving appropriate credit.

Some improper practices are not considered Research Misconduct but are nonetheless considered misconduct under other University policies. These other policies include, but are not limited to, guidelines relating to conflict of interest, intellectual property, biosafety, use of animal and human subjects, use of University facilities, outside professional activities of faculty members, teacher-student relations and academic-staff relations. Disputes about the conduct in research not involving Research Misconduct or other misconduct should be resolved within the appropriate research group, division, or department. Such disputes might relate to authorship, attribution of credit, confidentiality, access or interpretations of data, simple negligence, differences of opinion, or honest error.

Policy and Procedures

Any individual affiliated with UCSB has an ethical obligation to act if he or she suspects Research Misconduct has occurred. Appropriate actions may include raising questions, seeking perspective from peers or more experienced individuals, or making a written or oral allegation of Research Misconduct.

Suspected Research Misconduct may be reported first to a Department Head, but can also be directed to the campus Research Integrity Officer, Vice Chancellor for Research Joe Incandela. Reports from outside the University should be directed to the Research Integrity Officer. It is the policy of UCSB to respond fully and fairly to all allegations of Research Misconduct and to comply with the reporting requirements of applicable funding agencies. Please see the Research Misconduct Policy and Procedures for complete information about how allegations are managed on campus.

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Ethics and Compliance Briefing for Researchers

Training requirements

UCSB researchers are expected to conduct themselves ethically, honestly and with integrity in all research activities. Members of the University research community are expected to become familiar with the laws and regulations bearing on their areas of responsibility. In support of this expectation, the University of California requires researchers to complete mandatory training on research ethics and compliance. This training is called the Ethics and Compliance Briefing for Researchers and is available through the UCSB Learning Center.

The UC Office of the President requires all University researchers to complete the Ethics and Compliance Briefing for Researchers (ECBR) module once every two years. The training takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. This training also satisfies the requirements for Conflict of Interest training for those supported by Public Health Service or Department of Energy funding.

Content

The required ECBR training promotes awareness of the UC Statement of Ethical Values and Standards of Ethical Conduct and conveys important information about the UC disclosure requirements that apply to all employees and the specific disclosure requirements for researchers who accept extramural research funds.

The briefing also covers the following research security topics: Export Control, the National Science Foundation (NSF) Current and Pending Support, National Institutes of Health (NIH) Other Support and Foreign Component disclosures, UC Conflict of Commitment, and the Whistleblower and Whistleblower Protection Policies.

How to Complete

You access the course through the UC Learning Center:

  1. Navigate to the UC Learning Center at: https://www.learningcenter.ucsb.edu/
  2. Login by clicking the red Login button at the top of the page and then select the red Employee Login button.
  3. Login with your UCSBnet ID through the Single Sign-on screen
  4. Click Required Training to see if this training has already been assigned and to check your completion status.
  5. Click Start to launch the training.
  6. If the module does not appear in your Required Training area, go back to the Home screen and select Find a Course to find the course.
  7. Enter ECBR into the search field at the top of the page and select the resulting course.
  8. To verify your training completion date, login to the UC Learning Center as instructed above, and click Transcript & Certificates.

  9. If you need accommodation for this training, please contact UC Learning Center Support by phone at (805) 893-4117 or submit a ticket at https://ithelp.ucsb.edu and they will do their best to assist you.


Please contact the COI office at coi@research.ucsb.edu if you have any questions.