Research vs. Academic Misconduct
June 20, 2025
While both research and academic misconduct involve breaches of integrity, they differ in scope and context.
Research misconduct refers to unethical practices in the conduct of research, specifically fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, or reporting research. These actions undermine the credibility of scientific findings and can lead to serious consequences, including retractions, loss of funding, or reputational harm. If you suspect research misconduct, contact the Office of Research Integrity, which facilitates the review of allegations of research misconduct and ensures compliance with federal and institutional policies.
Academic misconduct involves violating ethical standards within an academic setting, such as falsifying academic credentials, discriminatory practices, not giving proper citation credit(s), and breaches of institutional policies. Academic misconduct also undermines the trust and integrity of the academic community. Concerns about academic misconduct should be reported to the Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability, as well as UAF Human Resources.
Contacting the correct office about research or academic misconduct ensures that the report is routed to the appropriate experts, enabling timely, efficient, and accurate procedures while protecting the rights of all parties involved. It also minimizes the risk of procedural errors or delays. UAF ensures accountability and upholds ethical standards across research and academic environments by appropriately addressing both types of misconduct.
For more information or questions, contact Carla McCain at cmmccain@alaska.edu in the Office of Research Integrity.