Jim Pivarnik, professor of kinesiology and epidemiology

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EAST LANSING, Mich. — An MSU professor of kinesiology and epidemiology has helped the university revise its guidelines for responsible research and scholarship.

During the past two years, Jim Pivarnik — the university’s new research integrity officer — has worked with the University Graduate Council and representatives from offices of the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies and General Counsel to update MSU’s “Procedures Concerning Allegations of Misconduct in Research and Creative Activities.”

Changes in federal regulations, experience dealing with issues of research misconduct and the need to clarify language in some sections prompted the revision. MSU must remain fully compliant in order to qualify for federal funding, Pivarnik said.

“Safeguarding the integrity of research and creative activities is fundamental to the mission of Michigan State University,” Pivarnik said. “We owe no less to the public which sustains institutions such as ours and to the governmental agencies and private entities which sponsor the research enterprise.”

The Board of Trustees approved the changes earlier this summer.

Changes in the procedures also strove for clarification, simplification, and balance.

“There was a section on bad faith, so we added a parallel section on good faith,” Pivarnik said. “We took out the procedure for addressing retaliation since MSU already has procedures in place for dealing with retaliation. We clarified that misconduct can occur in any discipline in the university.”

The revised document is available at http://www.rio.msu.edu/. Pivarnik can be reached at (517) 432-6698 or at rio@msu.edu. He is available to make presentations on integrity in department meetings and other venues.

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