Adherence to the principles of academic integrity is essential to the responsible practice of research. Research misconduct is one type of academic misconduct but carries consequences for the broader scholarly community. Beyond the integrity of the individual, violations in the research process undermine the trustworthiness of the scientific enterprise.
Plagiarism, falsification and fabrication of data in research are breaches of the Tri-Agency Framework: Responsible Conduct of Research which all University of Waterloo researchers are obliged to follow.
In addition to possible academic sanctions such as loss of credit, suspension or expulsion, researchers who plagiarize, falsify or fabricate data may be subject to penalties such as:
- Professional sanctions including withdrawal of research privileges
- Withdrawal of pending publications/retraction of existing publications
- Career damaging negative publicity both to the person and institution
- Loss of Tri-Agency funding/requirement to repay research funding/inability to apply for future funding
All members of the University of Waterloo community are obliged to report suspected breaches of the Responsible Conduct of Research Framework immediately to the Vice President of University Research.
The Office of Research supports research integrity at UWaterloo.
For information and resource materials contact:
- Ian Milligan, Associate Vice-President, Research Oversight and Analysis, 519-888-4567, ext. 42775
- Katy Wong-Francq, Associate Director, Research Strategic Initiatives and Research Oversight, 519-888-4567, ext. 30528
