Re: Forged Signature on IRB Application Carolyn Pate 13 Nov 2003 09:41 EST
This is certainly an act of dishonesty--and honesty is at the core of academics. It should not be tolerated. She should be reported at the very least to the chair. I'd read my university's policy statements and/or the faculty handbook for guidance. Because our IRB is autonomous, I would not have the authority to prohibit her from conducting the protocol, but I would certainly let the IRB know my opinion. And, yes, it is misconduct. If she does this at the outset, what will happen during the study? And what about the students? What kind of model is this for them? I think in cases that go before the IRB that a guiding principle should be "Do the right thing." Dishonesty is not the right thing. -----Original Message----- From: Research Administration List [mailto:xxxxxx@HRINET.ORG]On Behalf Of Barbara Gray Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2003 10:31 AM To: xxxxxx@HRINET.ORG Subject: [RESADM-L] Forged Signature on IRB Application Compliance/IRB staffers out there, how would you deal with this situation? We require department chairs to sign off on human subject applications. A faculty member is in a rush to have an human subject protocol approved (under expedited criteria) for a very innocuous procedure--virtually no risk at all except it is a phyical measurement that does not fit within exemption criteria. (Note that the project involves students who will be collecting the data as part of a class assignment.) She indicates she'll just sign for her chair, we indicate that she can't do that, and, lo and behold, the signature page comes in a couple of days later with the chair's signature forged. Would you take this to her chair? Her dean? The provost? Would you prohibit her from implementing the protocol (which will impact the students in her class)? Would you bar her from doing human subject research for a period of time? Is this "misconduct" that should be referred for handling through ORI regs? (note that we've made our misconduct policy applicable to all research and scholarship, not just that funded externally or by the Feds.) Personally, I find the faculty member's action offensive and unethical (if not downright illegal)--if she will do this on an application, might she do the same someday on a consent form?? But, in the big scheme of things, is this worth going to the mat on? After all, it's only falsification of an internal signature, not scientific data.... Thanks. -- ================================================================== Barbara H. Gray, Director Office of Research & Grants Administration College of Charleston 66 George Street Charleston, SC 29424 Campus Location: 407-G Bell Bldg. Office: 843.953.5673 Desk: 843.953.5885 Fax: 843.953.6577 e-mail: xxxxxx@cofc.edu URL: http://www.orga.cofc.edu/ ================================================================== ====================================================================== Instructions on how to use the RESADM-L Mailing List, including subscription information and a web-searchable archive, are available via our web site at http://www.hrinet.org (click on "Listserv Lists") ====================================================================== ====================================================================== Instructions on how to use the RESADM-L Mailing List, including subscription information and a web-searchable archive, are available via our web site at http://www.hrinet.org (click on "Listserv Lists") ======================================================================