The document provides an update from the Office of Research Integrity (ORI) under the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, outlining its structure, responsibilities, and current initiatives as presented at a 2019 COGR meeting. The ORI is organized into three divisions: the Office of the Director, the Division of Investigative Oversight, and the Division of Education & Integrity. It is chiefly responsible for addressing research misconduct—specifically, fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism—in federally funded research. The presentation clarifies that research misconduct does not include honest error, differences of opinion, authorship disputes, or self-plagiarism, and emphasizes that institutional standards may differ from federal definitions. The distinction is made that use of common phrases in methodology or minor textual overlap is generally not treated as substantial plagiarism.
Additionally, the ORI conducts oversight on issues such as image manipulation and provides broad educational support to nearly 5,000 institutions worldwide. Its numerous programs and resources—including policy review checklists, educational videos, infographics, and workshops—are intended to promote a culture of research integrity and responsible conduct of research (RCR). Recent trends noted include increased engagement from senior officials, the evolving nature of RCR, and the shift away from treating compliance as a mere administrative requirement. The ORI's approach highlights the importance of collaboration with the research community and a proactive stance in fostering ethical research practices.
