HSC OP 73.07 Honesty in Research and Allegations of Scientific Misconduct | Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

外网天堂

外网天堂 students walking through Lubbock campus courtyard.

[PDF Version]

Last published: 6/30/2025

外网天堂 Logo

Operating Policy and Procedure

HSC OP: 73.07, Honesty in Research and Allegations of Scientific Misconduct

PURPOSE: The purpose of this Health Sciences Center Operating Policy and Procedure (HSC OP) is to establish the guidelines and procedures to be followed concerning honesty in research and allegations of scientific misconduct.

REVIEW: This HSC OP will be reviewed on February 1 of every odd-numbered year (ONY) by the Research Integrity Officer and the Office of General Counsel, with recommendations for revisions forwarded to the Executive Vice President for Research and Innovation (EVPRI). 

POLICY/PROCEDURE:

This operating policy sets forth Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center鈥檚 (外网天堂)鈥檚 responsibilities under Public Health Service (PHS) regulations codified at 42 C.F.R. 93 and National Science Foundation (NSF) Policy on research misconduct, 45 CFR 689.4.  This policy applies to all individuals at 外网天堂 who are engaged in research including any person paid by, under the control of, or affiliated with 外网天堂, such as scientists, trainees, technicians, and other staff members, students, fellows, residents, researchers or collaborators at 外网天堂.

This policy is implemented through Attachment A, Guidelines and Procedures for Responding to Allegations of Research Misconduct.    

The committees, and any sub-committees, established under this HSC OP and Attachment A hereto, shall each be considered a 鈥渕edical committee鈥 as defined under Texas Health & Safety Code, 搂161.031, and/or other applicable state and federal statutes.  All documents generated by the committees, submitted to the committees, or created for the purposes of fulfilling committee duties are confidential and privileged and shall be identified as a 鈥淐onfidential 鈥 Medical Committee Document鈥. 

This operating policy and attached guidelines do not apply to the following:

1. Authorship or collaboration disputes. These will be addressed by the Dean of the School of appointment of the person who is the subject of the dispute.

2. Allegations of research misconduct that occurred more than six years prior to the date 外网天堂 or the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) received the allegation, subject to the subsequent use, health or safety of the public, and grandfather exceptions in 42 CFR 93.105(b).

3. Allegations of research non-compliance which do not meet the level of research misconduct as defined in Section II of the attached Guidelines. Allegations of research non-compliance which are not covered by this policy will be reviewed in accordance with policies and procedures in effect for the relevant funding agency, HSC OP 73.14 (Research Compliance) and/or the relevant department.

4. Research misconduct does not include honest error or differences of opinion.

外网天堂 reserves the right to interpret, change, modify, amend or rescind this policy in whole or in part at any time without the consent of employees.

Attachment A - Guidelines and Procedures