Responsible Conduct of Research

Supervision of Student Research

The academic institution's responsibility to educate and prepare students to enter society and to practice their disciplines with high ethical standards does not cease with formal course work. The University and its faculty have an obligation to the academic community, the public, and the student to ensure that all students and trainees engage in research responsibly and use the highest professional standards.

Dissertation advisors, research directors, and administrative heads share responsibility for providing the best possible research environment. Students should be given due recognition for their original work. Demands made upon students should be reasonable and they should be treated with professional courtesy. Avenues must be available for students who feel their supervision or training is inadequate. They should feel free to bring this to the attention of the advisor, director or, if necessary, to the appropriate administrative head. Dissertation advisors and research directors should meet regularly with students, fellows, and other collaborators to review their work and progress. Dissertation advisors and research directors should serve as role models and maintain the highest ethical standards in performance of research. They should encourage students to exchange ideas and information with other members of the research community. The experience of the students should serve to prepare them to become independent scholars and researchers.