NSF's approach to misconduct in science

At the National Science Foundation (NSF), the investigation of allegations of misconduct in science is the responsibility of the Office of Inspector General (OIG). NSF's procedures distinguish between the preliminary inquiry and the formal investigation. They also distinguish these stages from the adjudication stage, which is the responsibility of the Office of the Director of NSF rather than of OIG. If an investigation seems warranted, OIG usually asks the university that employs the accused person to perform it, after which OIG reviews the university's investigation report. NSF in effect is asking universities to move from an informal to a formal method of dealing with misconduct in science allegations. This transition is not yet complete. Universities encounter many difficulties in investigating misconduct allegations, in particular when they try to assess an individual's intent. About half of the allegations NSF receives have to do with intellectual property violations, and most of the findings of misconduct that NSF has made were in connection with plagiarism. One plagiarism case illustrates some aspects of the problem of intent.