Research Misconduct

Baylor University is committed to fostering integrity and transparency in all research activities. As a Christian research institution, Baylor expects all researchers to uphold high ethical standards and report any concerns about possible research misconduct or research-related misconduct. Maintaining research integrity protects the accuracy of the research record, supports responsible scholarship, and preserves public trust in the University and the broader scientific community.

Research and Research-related Misconduct

Research Misconduct is defined as fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, or reviewing research, or in reporting research results. Research misconduct does not include honest error or differences of opinion. It includes misconduct in research and scholarship.

Research-related misconduct is defined as an act committed intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly that is a significant deviation from accepted practices in proposing, performing, reviewing, or reporting research results or scholarship which falls outside the parameters of research misconduct as defined in this policy and relevant federal regulations but deserves corrective action or sanctions and is otherwise contrary to University policy. Research-related misconduct does not include authorship disputes, honest error, or differences of opinion.

Policies and Procedures for Research and Research-related Misconduct

BU-PP 775 Policy on Research Misconduct 

OVPR-01: Procedures for Handling Research and Research-related Misconduct 

Reporting Research and Research-related Misconduct

It is the responsibility of all individuals associated with Baylor to promptly report observed, suspected, or apparent research or research-related misconduct to Baylor’s Research Integrity Officer (RIO). A person can choose to submit an anonymous report through Baylor’s Report IT website  or directly to the RIO. Please note that anonymous reporting may impede the ability of the RIO to fully investigate an allegation as it is often necessary to ask clarifying questions of the person submitting the report. Additionally, anonymous reporters will not be notified of case outcomes. Persons who report an allegation of research misconduct, in good faith, are entitled to receive protection from retaliation.

Baylor University Research Integrity Officer:

Deborah Holland
Assistant Vice Provost for Research
Research Integrity Officer
Clifton Robinson Tower 729
(254) 710-1438