New Research Integrity Resources and Reminders
Dear members of the Columbia research community,
Columbia University is deeply committed to integrity in scholarly research. We write to remind you of key resources and policy to support your research endeavors. If you conduct research or support people who do, please be sure to read the information below.
New On-Line Training: Handling Digital Scientific Images
Columbia has launched a new, on-line training on proper handling of digital scientific images. Module 1, Handling Digital Scientific Images Dos & Don’ts (TC7150), covers ethical image handling practices, acceptable versus unacceptable modifications, and the management of digital images to maintain traceability and compliance. Module 2, From the Benign to Research Misconduct: Case Studies and Strategies for Detection (TC7151), addresses detection of improper image manipulations, the classification of these alterations, and emerging challenges. There is a brief quiz at the end of Module 2.
Proper handling of scientific images is a critical component of research integrity. We encourage anyone who works with scientific images, at any career stage, to take the new training. Principal investigators should set an example for their teams by taking the training now. The training will be assigned to all postdocs and associate research scientists at CUIMC and relevant other departments on the Morningside and Manhattanville campuses in Rascal and will appear in the My Training To-Do list. We strongly recommend that these individuals complete the training within the next 90 days. Departments will be provided completion reports for follow-up.
Resources to Support Data Management, Rigor and Reproducibility
The University’s Research and Data Integrity (ReaDI) Program, overseen by the Office of Research Compliance and Training, links to extensive resources to support researchers at all career stages. We highlight some of the many resources below:
- Catalog of Columbia-supported Data Repositories, including cost (if any)
- LabArchives Electronic Research Notebook, provided at no cost to Columbia researchers
- Columbia Data Platform, a cloud-based research data solution including a low-cost option to “cold store” big data
- Checklists for keeping a lab notebook and for team member departures
- Tutorials on Good Laboratory Notebook Practices, Best Practices for Data Management When Using Instrumentation, and Guidelines on the Organization of Samples
- Reproducibility Resources by Topic
- Data Management at Columbia
Research Misconduct
The University’s Institutional Policy on Research Misconduct ensures that allegations of research misconduct (i.e., fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism) are handled with care and rigor and in accordance with funder requirements. The Policy requires fact-driven analysis by experts in the scientific field at issue, and contains numerous protections for all involved, including confidentiality and a presumption of innocence. More information is available on the Research Compliance and Training website. We also note that the University’s Compliance Hotline is a resource for individuals who have concerns.
Thank you and we wish you a productive spring.
Katrina Armstrong, CEO, CUIMC
Dennis Mitchell, Interim Provost
Jeannette M. Wing, Executive Vice President for Research