Research Misconduct

At UNE, we are committed to maintaining honesty, integrity, and ethical conduct in all research activities. Our research community is expected to adhere to the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and respect for the scientific method.

This webpage provides an overview of research misconduct and guidance for reporting concerns.

Research misconduct is any act of dishonesty in research that undermines the integrity of the research process. It generally includes:

• Fabrication: Making up data or results.
• Falsification: Manipulating research processes or data to misrepresent results.
• Plagiarism: Using another person’s ideas, processes, results, or words without proper attribution.
• Misuse of Tools or Technology: Using artificial intelligence (AI) or other tools in a way that results in fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism.

Honest mistakes or differences of opinion are not considered research misconduct.

View the UNE Policy for Addressing Allegations of Research Misconduct (PDF)

If you suspect research misconduct, you are encouraged to report it promptly. UNE protects individuals who report allegations of research misconduct from retaliation.

Allegations may be submitted by any person through the following channels:

• Direct report to the research integrity officer (RIO), any dean, department chair, or the director of Research Integrity and Compliance.
• Send an email to the UNE Office of Research and Innovation at ori@une.edu.
• Call the UNE Compliance Hotline at 1 (866) 587-6636 (this method must be used if the reporter wishes to remain anonymous).

All reports are taken seriously and handled in accordance with the University’s policy.

For questions about research misconduct, please contact the research integrity officer, Karen Houseknecht, Ph.D., at khouseknecht@une.edu or (207) 602-2872.