Research Misconduct

Columbia University is committed to ensuring the integrity of research conducted under its auspices and has put in place policies and procedures that define misconduct, outline the process for investigating allegations, and explain the consequences of committing misconduct.

The University’s Standing Committee on the Conduct of Research implements the Institutional Policy on Misconduct in Research ("Policy"). The Office of Research Compliance and Training helps administer the Policy and is a resource for anyone with concerns or questions about possible research misconduct. Naomi Schrag, the Vice President for Research Compliance, Training and Policy, is Columbia's Research Integrity Officer.

In response to revisions to federal regulations, the Policy was revised in 2025. The revised Policy was approved by the University Senate on December 12, 2025. The revised Policy takes effect January 1, 2026, and applies to allegations of research misconduct received on or after that date.

The University defines research misconduct, in accordance with federal policy, as any fabrication, falsification or plagiarism in proposing, performing or reviewing research or in the reporting of research results. Research misconduct does not include honest error or differences of opinion, authorship disputes that do not involve plagiarism, and violations of other University policies (e.g., sexual harassment policy).