A major goal of the University is the furthering of research, scholarly, and creative endeavors. The University upholds the scientific method in the conduct of research and is committed to the ethical conduct of all endeavors by its faculty, staff and students.
A requirement of valid experimental observation or theoretical deduction is that the data and/or the conditions of obtaining the data and results can be verified, either by scrutiny of accurate records made at the time of experimentation or by repetition of the experiments or theoretical deduction.
Conduct inconsistent with the ethical research, scholarly, and creative endeavors and which is considered misconduct includes:
- Significant departure from accepted practices in the relevant research community in proposing, performing, or reviewing research, or reporting research results, such as fabrication, falsification, deception, misrepresentation, or arbitrary selection of data;
- Plagiarism or other appropriation of the work of another individual and presenting it as if it were one's own or without credit to the originator as is required by commonly accepted practices in the community of one's discipline; plagiarism also includes self plagiarism, for example publishing the same work in multiple scholarly journals without receiving permission to do so;
- Material failure to comply with funding agency (federal, state, private, etc.) requirements that uniquely relate to the conduct of the endeavor; and
- Retaliation against a person who, acting in good faith, has reported or provided information about suspected or alleged misconduct.
- Misconduct does not include honest error or differences of opinion.
When such misconduct is alleged, a thorough and timely process shall take place with the University to provide adequate opportunity for reaching valid conclusions about the alleged misconduct. It is imperative that the University's Misconduct Procedures be followed to protect the rights and reputation of those involved. Individuals found guilty of misconduct are subject to discipline up to and including dismissal.
For details, view the Procedures for Responding to Allegations of Misconduct in Research, Scholarly and Creative Endeavors, which is maintained and kept up-to-date by the Office of the Vice President for Research (VPR). The Office of the VPR will notify the Senate via the Research Policy Committee of any changes made to these procedures and the rationale. Additional information on reporting and whistleblower protection is available on the Misconduct in Research page.
See Appendix F, "Scientific Misconduct Procedures" for more information.
Senate Policy 204.1
Senate Proposal 36-95
Revised:
05/27/2025 - Updated to reflect changes approved in Senate Proposal 43-22.
12/08/2016 - Annual Review: No changes made to content.
04/02/2015 - Annual Review: To reflect current practice, the email address for questions
is now policy@mtu.edu. The last sentence read "See Appendix F, "Misconduct Procedures" for more information."
It now reads "See Appendix F, "Scientific Misconduct Procedures" for more information."
02/13/2014 - Annual Review: Updated Michigan Tech and Handbook banners, no changes
made to content.
03/18/2013 - Annual Review: "Senate Proposal 4-08, Introduced in Senate: Nov 14, 2007,
Amended by Senate: November 14, 2007, Adopted by Senate as Amended: November 14, 2007,
Approved by Administration: Nov 14, 2007, Senate Proposal 36-95, Adopted by Senate:
May 3, 1995, Approved by President (with modifications): November 1, 1995, Rejected
by Senate - Tabled until Fall Quarter 1996, Modifications Adopted by Senate: December
11, 1996, and Replaced with Proposal 4-08" now reads "Senate Policy 204.1 and Senate
Proposal 36-95."
07/18/2011 - Annual Review: To reflect current University titles and practice, MTU
is now Michigan Tech and the email address for questions is now hbwebmaster.
10/22/2010 - Revised to reflect Proposal 4-08.