Responsible Conduct in Research

Scientific Integrity

Scientific excellence is a foundational element of Triad’s mission at Los Alamos National Laboratory that depends upon objective and honest observation, analysis, and reporting. We must perform our work with integrity in accordance with the highest ethical and professional standards.

Research is the heart of the Laboratory. The research we conduct at The Laboratory is beneficial to the scientific community and the world at large, having the potential to affect the everyday lives of people across the globe. It is imperative this research upholds the ethical principles of research. Triad will not tolerate research misconduct of any kind including but not limited to:

Fabrication – Making up data or results and recording or reporting them.
Falsification – Manipulating research materials, equipment, or processes, or changing or omitting data or results such that the research is not accurately represented in the research record.
Plagiarism – The appropriation of another person’s ideas, processes, results or works without giving appropriate credit.

Summary of Policy

As noted by the National Academies, the foundation of the R&D enterprise is trust: both trust that the results reported by others are valid and trust that the results reflect an honest and unbiased attempt to describe nature.

Therefore, Los Alamos National Laboratory seeks to foster and maintain the highest ethical standards in R&D. All workers conducting or managing R&D are expected to ensure the highest degree of intellectual honesty and integrity in planning, conducting, reporting, and reviewing R&D. Scientific misconduct is prohibited.

Personal values, assumptions, and beliefs can motivate or influence researchers. These influences can be positive, as in the widespread dedication of Laboratory personnel to science in the national interest. However, values, assumptions, and beliefs can also be an unintended source of bias in the interpretation or performance of R&D. Los Alamos National Laboratory R&D workers are expected to strive to make and report unbiased observations.

Los Alamos National Laboratory encourages intellectual freedom, consistent with job descriptions and assigned duties, and as tempered by contractual, programmatic, and legal requirements (such as, but not limited to, classification and intellectual property requirements).

Do the Right Thing

Review and follow all policies regarding the proposal, approval, conduct, and reporting of research.
Recognize the responsibility common to engineers, scientists, and other professionals of maintaining public confidence by seeking and stating the truth as you understand it.
Exercise intellectual honesty, discipline, adherence to professional ethics, and good judgment in extending the boundaries of knowledge and in transmitting and applying new information.
Report apparent instances of scientific misconduct in good faith and without malicious intent to division-level management or the Employee Concerns Program (ECP).
Avoid possible misconduct related to research including, but not limited to, fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism.
Avoid situations that could lead to conflicts. Avoid any relationship or activity that could influence or appear to influence your ability to protect research participants or compromise the validity of research results.
Do not state your personal opinion without clearly separating it from the Laboratory’s official position

Common Questions

What is research misconduct?

Research misconduct (formerly called scientific misconduct) is a narrowly defined set of actions that call into question the scientific integrity of a body of work. Research misconduct may include, but is not limited to, 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.

Are there guidelines for how to maintain results?

Yes. The results of research should be recorded and maintained in a manner that allows analysis and review. Research data should be maintained so that it is retrievable and reasonably protected against loss, using a graded approach. Following publication, the data should be retained for a reasonable period in order to be available promptly and completely to responsible researchers. Exceptions may be appropriate in certain circumstances in order to preserve privacy, to assure patent protection, or for similar reasons.

Fabrication of data or selective reporting of data with the intent to mislead or deceive is prohibited, as is the theft of data or research results from others.

Responsible Conduct in Research