Research Ethics, Scholarly Integrity, and Responsible Conduct of Research
The mission of North Carolina State University is to serve its students and the people of North Carolina as a doctoral/research-extensive, land-grant university. Through the active integration of teaching, research, extension, and engagement, North Carolina State University creates an innovative learning environment that stresses mastery of fundamentals, intellectual discipline, creativity, problem solving, and responsibility. Given its status as a Research I institution, research ethics, scholarly integrity and responsible conduct of research are expectations associated with all research and scholarly endeavors undertaken by faculty, staff, postdoctoral scholars, graduate students and undergraduate students. In addition, the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) seminars are a part of the Graduate School's Preparing Future Leaders initiative since developing sound research and scholarship practices are integral parts of good leadership within scientific and scholarly communities. This website provides guidance, information and resources regarding research ethics, scholarly integrity and the responsible conduct of research for all who engage in scholarly and research activities at North Carolina State University.
Following are definitions that help to guide researchers and scholars in their quest for knowledge, discovery and truth.
Research Ethics
Research Ethics is a broad umbrella covering the responsible conduct of research and all of its content. Research ethics involves the application of moral rules and professional codes of conduct to the collection, analysis, reporting, and publication of information about research subjects, observations, results and application.
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) relates to the manner undertaken with all aspects of research. The Office of Research Integrity identifies the following nine (9) areas of RCR that need to be taken into consideration when scientists are conducting research:
- Data Acquisition, Management, Sharing and Ownership
- Conflict of Interest and Commitment
- Human Subjects
- Animal Welfare
- Research Misconduct
- Publication Practices and Responsible Authorship
- Mentor / Trainee Responsibilities
- Peer Review
- Collaborative Science
Scholarly Integrity
Scholarly Integrity refers to the professional conduct, ethical decisions and manner in which teaching, mentoring, research, scholarship or artistic/creative activities are carried out in the course of a faculty, staff, postdoctoral scholar or student’s work or studies at the university.
For more information about research ethics, scholarly integrity and the responsible conduct of research, contact the following administrators at North Carolina State University:
Dr. Rebeca Rufty, Acting Dean, The Graduate School, becky_rufty@ncsu.edu, Phone: 919.515.1989
Matt Ronning, Associate Vice Chancellor for Research Administration, matt_ronning@ncsu.edu, Phone: 919.513.2148
