Research Misconduct

The University of Maine is committed to fostering an environment in which the highest ethical standards in the conduct of Research and other scholarly activities are maintained. All members of the University community engaged in research, including faculty, staff, and students, are expected to adhere to the highest standards of research integrity to protect the accuracy and reliability of the research record and published results.

What is Research Misconduct?

Research Misconduct means fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, or reviewing research, or in reporting research results. Research Misconduct does not include honest error or differences of opinion. A finding of Research Misconduct requires that:

1. there be a significant departure from accepted practices of the relevant research community; and
2. the misconduct be committed intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly; and
3. the allegation be proved by a preponderance of the evidence.

Key Definitions of the Components of Research Misconduct

Fabrication

Fabrication: Making up data or results and recording or reporting them. Fabrication excludes synthetic data or test data used for testing or validation.

Falsification

Falsification: Manipulating Research materials, equipment or processes, or changing or omitting Research data or results, such that Research is not accurately represented in the Research Record.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism: The appropriation of another person’s ideas, processes, results or words, without giving appropriate credit.

• (a) Plagiarism includes the unattributed verbatim or nearly verbatim copying of sentences and paragraphs from another’s work that materially misleads the reader regarding the contributions of the author. It does not include the limited use of identical or nearly identical phrases that describe a commonly used methodology.
• (b) Plagiarism does not include self-plagiarism or authorship or credit disputes, including disputes among former collaborators who participated jointly in the development or conduct of a research project. Self-plagiarism and authorship disputes do not meet the definition of research misconduct.

Note: Under University of Maine Policy and Procedures for Responding to Allegations of Research Misconduct [Word], the definition of Plagiarism excludes self-plagiarism; however, the University may prohibit self-plagiarism in other policies, procedures, rules, or handbooks. For the definition of self-plagiarism, refer to the University of Maine Faculty Handbook.

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Last Updated: 12/31/2025