Every research institution employs administrative staff who support the research community on a daily basis. Whether in a central office, department, clinic or laboratory, these people may not be aware of the important role they play in safe-guarding the integrity of the research enterprise. Frequently, research administrators are forced to face…

Research institutions are charged with developing and managing conflict of interest (COI) policies regarding the design, conduct, and reporting of research. Prior research indicates that university researchers may not understand the purpose of these policies and may resent the time taken to demonstrate compliance. Policy communication is not a…

Voice of Experience advances the tradition of service of the "Journal of Research Administration" by fostering consideration of and reflection upon contemporary issues and concerns in research administration. VOE is a celebrated feature column in each edition of the Journal. In this article, the author presents a review of recent literature…

Ethical, Legal and Social Implications ("ELSI") research has played an increasingly important role in scientific research. Tens of millions of dollars, many of which are public, are spent funding scientific research projects. Taxpayers are demanding that scientific advancement move forward, hand-in-hand with careful examination of the many ethical…

This article focuses on perceptions and behaviors surrounding potential conflicts of interest and/or commitment on both personal and institutional levels. It references past cases, public reaction and subsequent policy decisions. Most people believe conflict to be negative, something to be avoided. While conflict might make one feel stressed,…

In an effort to foster research integrity, the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation mandate education of all trainees in the responsible conduct of research (RCR). Nevertheless, recent studies suggest that rates of questionable research practices and scientific misconduct are both high and considerably underreported.…

National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of Inspector General (OIG) evaluates all allegations of conflict of interest made in connection with NSF activities. This article identifies factors institutions may consider in developing a conflict of interest policy by discussing NSF's requirements, while highlighting these issues with case examples. A…

Describes the evolution of Northwestern University's "Policy on Faculty Conflict of Commitment and Conflict of Interest" and addresses the underlying guidelines that shaped the policy content. Also describes the management procedures designed to provide flexibility in policy implementation to accommodate different university subcultures.…