Policy Search
Academics and Research – Research
EWU Policy 302-05 Authority: EWU Board of Trustees
Effective: December 12, 2025 Proponent: Office of Academic Affairs
Purpose: Any EWU faculty, staff, or student involved in research or scholarly activities under the auspices of Eastern Washington University (EWU) are expected to conform to the accepted standards for the ethical conduct of research and scholarship within their field(s). This policy describes EWU’s process for investigating and responding to allegations of misconduct in research or scholarship that do not include federally sponsored research.
History: This policy revises the previous version of this policy adopted on December 6, 2019. It was approved by the Board of Trustees on December 12, 2025.
Applicability: This policy applies to all faculty, staff, and students of Eastern Washington University and to any persons engaged in research activities conducted under the auspices of the University. This policy does not include investigations into allegations of research misconduct in federally sponsored research. The process for handling allegations involving federally sponsored research are contained in EWU Policy 302-09 (Research Misconduct in Federally Sponsored Research).
1. General
1-1. Introduction & Scope
The creation and dissemination of knowledge are primary missions of the university. Accordingly, the university encourages participation in research, scholarship and service activities which contribute to the university’s educational, research, and community service mission. In all of these activities, EWU endeavors to maintain the highest standards of integrity and ethics. EWU is committed to fostering a research environment that promotes the responsible conduct of research and research training, discourages research misconduct, and deals promptly with allegations or evidence of possible research misconduct. Under federal regulations and guidelines and by extension, university policy and procedures, EWU is obligated to carry out inquiries and, if warranted, to conduct investigations to resolve allegations of misconduct.
This policy applies to all faculty, staff and students of EWU and to any persons engaged in research, scholarship, or creative work activities conducted under the sponsorship of the University that do not involve federal funding.
This policy specifically covers any research proposed, performed, reviewed or reported, or any research record generated from that research regardless of whether an application or proposal for funds resulted in a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement. This policy does not apply to research related to a federal grant or contract. Allegations of research misconduct involving a federal grant or contract are covered by EWU Policy 302-09 (Research Misconduct in Federally Sponsored Research).
1-2. Policy & Definitions
Faculty, students and staff who direct or participate in research and scholarship must do so with integrity and strict adherence to the ethical standards of this policy and related laws and regulations.
For purposes of this policy, the following definitions apply:
Accepted practices of the relevant research community means those practices established by the regulations relevant to the type of research being conducted, as well as commonly accepted professional codes or norms within the overarching community of researchers and institutions that apply for and receive the relevant type of federal award.
Complainant means the person or entity who, in good faith, submits a verbal or written complaint alleging misconduct or a violation of laws, regulations, or this policy. EWU, at its discretion, may also serve as the complainant.
Fabrication is making up data or results and recording or reporting them.
Falsification is 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.
Federally sponsored refers to research supported by a federal grant or contract. It includes instances where the research is directly sponsored by a federal agency as well as instances where the university is a sub-recipient or subcontractor and the research performed is subject to any federal regulations pertaining to research.
Inquiry means preliminary fact-finding to determine if an allegation or apparent instance of research misconduct warrants an investigation.
Intentionally means to act with the aim of carrying out the act.
Investigation means the formal examination and evaluation of all relevant facts to determine if research misconduct has occurred and, if so, to determine the responsible person and the seriousness of the research misconduct.
Knowingly means to act with awareness of the act.
Plagiarism is the appropriation of another person’s ideas, processes, results or words without giving appropriate credit.
Research means a systematic experiment, study, evaluation, demonstration, or survey, including research development, testing and evaluation that may be designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge. Activities which meet this definition constitute research for purposes of this policy, whether or not they are conducted or supported under a program which is considered research for other purposes. For example, some demonstration and service programs may include research activities.
Respondent means the person who is alleged to have engaged in misconduct or a violation of laws, regulations, or this policy.
1-3. References
- Chapter 42.52 RCW, Ethics in Public Service
- EWU Policy 901-01, Ethical Standards
- EWU Policy 401-02, Additional or Outside Employment
- EWU Policy 901-02, Appropriate Use of University Resources
- EWU Policy 302-08, Conflicts of Interest- Research & Technology Transfer
- EWU Policy 302-07, Institutional Biosafety
- EWU Policy 302-04, Intellectual Property Management
- EWU Policy 302-03, Care and Use of Animals in Research
- EWU Policy 302-02, Human Research
- WAC 172-90, Student Academic Integrity
1-4. Reporting Violations
Any suspected misconduct in research, scholarship, creative works or other violation of this policy should be reported to the Provost or their designee.
1-5. Reprisal or Retaliation
It is a violation of this policy for any person to engage in reprisal or retaliation against an individual because that individual has, in good faith, filed a complaint, testified, assisted, or participated in any process under this policy, or has attempted to do so.
1-6. Confidentiality
To protect the privacy of those involved, the identity of respondents, complainants, and research subjects will be maintained in a confidential manner to the extent permitted by law. During any process within this policy, information will be disseminated on a need-to-know basis. Files subject to public disclosure will be released only to the extent required by law.
1-7. Discipline
Violations of this policy or the corresponding federal regulations may result, for employees, in constructive/corrective or disciplinary action, up to and including termination. Violations of this policy or the corresponding federal regulations may result, for students, in discipline, up to and including suspension or expulsion. In addition, any substantiated violation of this policy may result in a suspension of the affected project or activity, as well as one’s ability to engage in future research or scholarship on behalf of the university.
2. Misconduct in Research and Scholarship
2-1. General
The university assumes responsibility for resolving allegations and investigating misconduct in research, scholarship, and creative works by its faculty, staff and students. Any allegations of misconduct in research and scholarship shall be referred to the Provost. The Provost is responsible for directing inquiries and investigations of alleged misconduct in research, scholarship, and creative works, and in meeting all reporting requirements established by federal and non-federal agencies.
2-2. 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.
2-3. Other Misconduct
Other forms of misconduct that may occur during research or scholarship beyond the scope of this policy are addressed under other university policies and procedures. In particular, violations of human subjects protocols, biosafety rules, or animal research protocols are addressed under separate policies and procedures. These standards are contained in EWU Policy 302-02 (Human Research), EWU Policy 302-07 (Institutional Biosafety), and EWU Policy 302-03 (Care and Use of Animals in Research).
In cases where allegations of research misconduct as defined in this policy are raised in conjunction with concerns of violations of other policies, the procedures identified in this policy only apply to the allegations of research misconduct.
3. Investigative Process For Allegations Of Misconduct In Research and Scholarship That Is Not Federally Sponsored
All complaints or allegations of misconduct in research or scholarship should be forwarded to the Provost. In accordance with the university’s investigative guidelines, the Provost or their designee(s) will conduct an initial review. If the complaint alleges behavior that, if found to be true, could be misconduct or a violation of law, policy, professional ethics, or university regulations, the Provost will proceed with an investigation. If the complaint alleges behavior that, if found to be true, could be a performance problem, the Provost can proceed with an investigation or, in lieu of an investigation, can take corrective/constructive action under the applicable collective bargaining agreement.
If the Provost determines that an investigation is warranted, the Provost or his/her designee(s) shall carry out an official investigation into the allegations of misconduct in research and scholarship. Investigations will begin within 30 days of the completion of the initial review.
The Provost will appoint an investigator to conduct an investigation in accordance with EWU Guideline 401-01 (Investigations). The Provost may appoint multiple individuals to conduct the investigation. Members of the investigative team will be carefully selected and must ensure that they have no real or apparent conflicts of interest with those persons involved in the investigation. When possible, the Provost will endeavor to include at least one faculty member or academic administrator who has the appropriate expertise to carry out a thorough and authoritative evaluation of the relevant evidence.
The investigator/investigative team will prepare a final written investigative report in accordance with EWU Guideline 401-01. When allegations of misconduct have been substantiated by a preponderance of the evidence, the Provost or designee shall review the findings and determine the appropriate level of constructive/corrective or disciplinary action, if any, and any appropriate remediation in accordance with EWU Guideline 401-01. The Provost may forward issues involving students to the Academic Integrity Board or the Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities to be handled in accordance with the Academic Integrity Code and/or the Student Conduct Code.
Records of the investigation will be maintained in sufficient detail to permit subsequent assessment of that determination. Such records will be kept in accordance with the university’s records retention schedule and shall, where appropriate, be provided to authorized personnel.
The procedures of this policy do not exclude other mechanisms for the review of alleged misconduct. When allegations involve the misuse of funds, the university’s Chief Financial Officer or outside auditors may investigate the allegations and report the findings to the proper authorities.
