Research Misconduct Do's and Don'ts

Section Peer Review: What To Do (And Not Do)

Do

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  • PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

    • Disclose all potential conflicts about reviewers in your grant application (including, but not limited to, all individuals who reviewed or communicated about your application)
    • Know all rules, regulations, policies and requirements regarding the review process
    • Contact the appropriate individual (e.g., SRO for NIH) about any potential inappropriate communications or conflicts not disclosed in the application

  • REVIEWER

    • Complete and submit your conflict of interest form and/or disclose all potential conflicts. Conflicts may include:
      • Serving as PI or key personnel on an application under review
      • The potential to receive a direct or indirect financial benefit
      • An employee of the PI or institution of an application
      • Applications that include professional associates or personal relationships
      • Appearance of a conflict
    • Keep all grant applications and materials strictly confidential
    • Notify the appropriate individual if you discover additional conflicts once you begin your review
    • Immediately disclose any inappropriate communications such as request for a favorable review
    • Leave the room prior to any discussion for an application in which you are in conflict
    • Destroy or return all documents as instructed or required

DON'T

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  • PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

    • Contact reviewers on the study section reviewing your application to request or provide information about the review
    • Attempt to influence the outcome of the review or reviewer(s)
    • Send information or data directly to a reviewer
    • Attempt to access information reviewed to the review of the application

  • REVIEWER

    • Discuss the grant application with anyone outside of the review panel – before, during or after the meeting
    • Discuss the grant applications with review panel members before the meeting
    • Bring up concerns of scientific misconduct during the review meeting, discuss them privately with the appropriate person (e.g., SRO for NIH)
    • Mention previous scores received by the application or compare an application to another
    • Discuss funding, budget or administrative issues

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