The Research Policy Committee has revised a new procedure for research misconduct to comply with federal regulations for government-funded research.
The previous research fraud policy was questioned at a Faculty Senate meeting in March for its subjective terminology and investigation procedures. The word "recklessly," which cannot be defined for every case that may occur, is an example of such terminology.
"The new policy differentiates different areas of misconduct that are specific to different investigations," said attorney Melanie Baise.
Baise is responsible for advising the committee over legal matters for allegations.
"The old policy needed clarification," Baise said. "We have now defined three primary types of misconduct."
The three types are fabrication, falsification of research data and plagiarism.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
Passed by the UNM Board of Regents in May, the new policy's purpose is to ensure the credibility and objectivity of research activities. This applies to all individuals involved with UNM's academic community, including visiting scholars.
"Over the past few years there have been a number of confidential claims that faculty and staff have been accused of," Baise said.
If a person makes allegations of an act of research transgression, the vice provost for research or vice president for health sciences conduct the investigation process.
Before the approval of the new policy the American Association of Professors addressed concern over the exclusive authority rights given to these departments in an April Faculty Senate meeting.
After the loss of academic freedom and tenure was discussed, it was decided that the Research Policy Committee would provide any lacking expertise to the investigation.
"The allegations will be researched with the appropriate expertise," Baise said. "The policy is structured so that a fair community of researchers will be knowledgeable to the complaint concerning the matter."
Fifteen people were in favor of the proposed policy and 12 opposed.
"Any investigations will end in a good result," Baise said.
Any final determination of investigation can result in the removal of the responsible person from the project, suspension, salary reduction or termination of employment. Other steps deemed necessary by the vice provost for research or the vice president for health sciences may include contacting law enforcement agencies or professional societies.
