USC is committed to the creation of knowledge through research and scholarship. In this mission, USC seeks to ensure the highest degree of integrity in the design, conduct and reporting of research results. Misconduct in research endangers public trust and the pursuit of scientific truth. USC faculty, staff and students are expected to conduct research in accordance with the highest degree of ethical standards and to report concerns of potential research misconduct.
Research misconduct means fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, or reviewing scholarly or research endeavors, or in reporting research results into the research record. Misconduct does not include honest error, differences of opinion, or differences in interpretation or judgements in evaluating research methods or results.
Fabrication – The making up data or results and recording or reporting them. Generally, fabricated results are those that are not supported by research that was performed.
Falsification – The manipulation of 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– The appropriation of another person’s ideas, processes, results, or words without giving appropriate credit
If you suspect research misconduct it is your responsibility to report it. Your reporting will remain confidential. Allegations may be made anonymously but will be assessed in order to determine whether they raise to an allegation of research misconduct sufficiently specific to initiate an Inquiry. An allegation should contain the following: (1) Name of Respondent(s), (2) Names of any witnesses, (3) Description of misconduct, (4) When and where misconduct occurred, (5) Supporting documentation.
For a detailed description of USC Process see USC Policy on Research and Scholarly Misconduct
To make a confidential allegation, please fill out this form.