Research Compliance
Resources and Guidance for Responsible Research Practices
Research Compliance
The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs support and expand competitive research and creative scholarship at USD. The office oversees USD’s research function, assisting faculty and researchers, generating student opportunities, and establishing and administering policies governing the conduct of research and overseeing the management of research programs.
This page includes essential resources and guidelines to ensure that all university inquiries meet the highest ethical and legal standards. Within these sections, you will find detailed information regarding protocols, institutional policies, and the management of health and safety. Furthermore, this site provides critical oversight for research security and export controls, safeguarding our intellectual property and ensuring compliance with federal regulations throughout the lifecycle of every project.
Research Compliance & Safety
Research 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.
Export Control
Export Control are the laws and rules that limit how certain items, information, technology, or software can be shared with people or countries outside the U.S. This can affect what data you share, who you work with, or what equipment or knowledge can be transferred. The goal is to protect national security and prevent sensitive information from being misused.
Research Conflict of Interest
Research Conflict of Interest is when a researcher’s personal, financial, or outside interests could influence, or appear to influence, their research decisions or results. The COI policy helps USD identify and disclose possible conflict situations so research stays fair, honest, and trustworthy.
Responsible Conduct of Research
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) refers to the ethical, professional, and regulatory standards that guide how research is designed, conducted, analyzed, and communicated. It includes principles such as honesty in data collection and reporting, proper attribution of credit, transparency, and accountability. RCR also involves complying with institutional and legal requirements and responsibly managing risks related to human subjects, animals, data, and conflicts of interest.
Environmental Health and Safety
The Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Office provides resources to help protect our campus community and prevent our work from causing harm to the environment.
Research Security
Research Security Training provides information on risks and threats to the global research ecosystem — and the knowledge and tools necessary to protect against these risks.
Institutional Biosafety
Institutional Biosafety keeps people, animals, and the environment safe when doing research that involves biological materials like bacteria, viruses, or genes.
