Research Integrity Program
The Office of Research at the University of South Florida embraces the traditional principles of honesty and fairness and is committed to the ethical and responsible conduct of research.
In order to promote and foster research integrity throughout our diverse, multidisciplinary, and multi-campus research program, the USF Office of Research provides a variety of services and resources to help our researchers through a labyrinth of agency requirements, including guidelines for complying with policies and procedures; committees and boards to review proposed and ongoing research; education, training, and engagement for researchers and research administrators; management plan development and process assistance including legal guidance; quality assurance review and recommendations; and topical literature to stay abreast of constantly changing regulations.
To ensure that researchers have the resources they need in order to conduct research, specific staff have been identified throughout our divisions who are able to help USF researchers ensure compliance with the many federal, state, and university requirements for conducting safe and ethical research. Links to various informational Web sites and staff email addresses follow.
Top Ten Compliance Issues
Designed to help you make the right decision at the right time, this brochure puts advice and contact information at your fingertips.
EthicsPoint Hotline
USF is dedicated to providing a safe, secure, and ethical workplace. This hotline provides an easy, anonymous way to discreetly and confidentially report activities that may involve improper conduct or violations of USF policies.
Responsible Conduct of Research
The USF Research Council developed this document in 1997 in response to a growing need for
written tradition.
Contact: Caroline Fultz-Carver
International Journal for Education Integrity
"The journal provides a platform for educators across all sectors to research issues in the multi-disciplinary field of educational integrity. In addition, IJEI provides an opportunity for researchers and practitioners to take a leadership role in the relatively new field of educational integrity.... Articles of interest to the IJEI readership may include but are not limited to the following areas as they relate to educational integrity: plagiarism, cheating, academic integrity, honor codes, teaching and learning, university governance and student motivation. " (IJEI Web site, 2005).
Contact: Caroline Fultz-Carver
Journal of Empirical Research on Human Research Ethics
The Journal of Empirical Research on Human Research Ethics (JERHRE) publishes empirical research and reviews of empirical literature on human research ethics. Empirical knowledge translates ethical principles into procedures appropriate to specific cultures, contexts, and research topics.
The basic aim of JERHRE is to improve ethical problem solving in human research. Stakeholders in human research grapple with conflict among various standards. Without evidence-based problem solving, many conflicts are unsatisfactorily settled by applying one-size-fits-all interpretation of principles or regulations, or resorting to anecdote as evidence for one or another interpretation. JERHRE creates collaboration among stakeholders, stimulates research, and disseminates knowledge to foster intelligent application of ethical principles in research contexts worldwide.
“On Being a Scientist: Responsible Conduct of Research”
“The scientific research enterprise, like other human activities, is built on a foundation of trust.
Scientists trust that the results reported by others are valid. Society trusts that the results
of research reflect an honest attempt by scientists to describe the world accurately and without
bias. The level of trust that has characterized science and its relationship with society has
contributed to a period of unparalleled scientific productivity. But this trust will endure
only if the scientific community devotes itself to exemplifying and transmitting the values
associated with ethical scientific conduct.” (Preface, The National Academies, 1994.)
Contact: Caroline Fultz-Carver
Sponsored Research: Charging Costs to Grants and Contracts
Research Integrity means that researchers understand and abide by the requirements agreed to in an
award or contract. To deal with complicated financial matters, the Division of Sponsored Research
provides researchers with training and tools to ensure they charge costs, including effort, to their
grants appropriately.
Contact: Priscilla Pope
Research Integrity & Compliance
The USF Division of Research Integrity & Compliance administers key research-related assurance and compliance
programs required by federal and state agencies and programs for the conduct of research at USF.
The purview encompasses misconduct in research, conflict of interest in research, the use of
human subjects in research, protected health information administration, the use of animal
subjects in research, biosafety, radiation and laser safety, and diving safety. Other USF
programs that support the responsible conduct of research are included here.
Contact: Caroline Fultz-Carver
Biosafety Program
The USF Biosafety Program ensures the integrity of research by overseeing and coordinating the safe
use of human and animal pathogens, biological toxins, human blood, and recombinant DNA.
Contact: Farah Moulvi
Conflict of Interest
One of the most challenging arenas, the USF Conflict of Interest policies serve as guideposts to help
researchers disclose real and perceived conflicts so that USF, working with the researcher and
relevant administrators, can develop management plans that will ensure the ethical conduct of research.
Contact: Vinita Witanachchi
Diving Safety
The USF Diving Safety Program provides guidance to aquatic researchers and students to ensure
ethical, safe, and effective diving practices, to educate researchers in new technological advances,
and to provide support for underwater research. With one of the largest diving safety programs in
the United States, USF is at the forefront of incident-free compliance.
Contact: Bill Dent
Environmental Health & Safety (including Laboratory Safety)
The USF Division of Environmental Health & Safety is committed to the achievement of a safe and healthful
USF environment.
Contact: Sandy Cooper
Human Research Participants Protection Program
The USF Institutional Review Board reviews and approves all research at USF involving human participants.
The process is an educational and informed one, designed to ensure the safety of participants and the
highest standards of ethical behavior on the part of researchers and staff.
Contact: Norma Epley
HIPAA Compliance Program
The USF Research Integrity Program requires researchers to protect the privacy of research subjects
with the appropriate use, disclosure, and security of protected health information.
Contact: Vinita Witanachchi
Institutional Animal Care and Use Program
The University of South Florida affirms that respect for all forms of life is an inherent characteristic
of scientists who conduct research involving animals, that the respectful treatment, care and use of
animals involved in research is an ethical and scientific necessity, and that the use of animals
in research and teaching contributes to the advancement of knowledge and the acquisition of
understanding.
Contact: Mary Rippee
Intellectual Property Protection and Management
The USF Division of Patents & Licensing is responsible for assisting faculty researchers protect
the ideas and products developed in their research programs, while ensuring that new knowledge
is also available and shared appropriately.
Contact: Valerie McDevitt
Radiation Safety and Laser Safety Programs
The USF Radiation Safety Program and the USF Laser Safety Program ensure that researchers understand
the potential hazards they are working with and have the most appropriate controls in place to ensure
the safety of faculty, students, and staff, as well as our community and the environment.
Contact: Adam Weaver
For all Office of Research Policies, Procedures, and Guidelines, click here.