NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL OFFICE OF INVESTIGATIONS CLOSEOUT MEMORANDUM Case Number: A14060027 Page 1of1 NSF OIG received an allegation that a PI (Subject) 1 copied text without adequate attribution in two declined NSF proposals (Proposal 12 and Proposal 2) without adequate attribution. In Proposal 1, part of the work the Subject proposed integrated text copied from the goal of another scholar's study; while, in Proposal 2, a substantive portion of the methodology contained copied text. The Subject's response to our inquiry did not dispel the allegation and we referred the matter to his University. 3 The University's investigation concluded, based on a preponderance of the evidence, that, although the Subject's act was a significant departure from accepted practices, the Subject did not commit research misconduct because he acted carelessly. The University required that the Subject take or teach a responsible conduct of research course, and use proper citation practices in his writings. We adopted most of the University's findings, but concluded the Subject acted recklessly. Based on our report, NSF made a finding of research misconduct against the Subject; sent the Subject a letter of reprimand: 4 required that the Subject provide certifications5 and assurances 6 to NSF for two years with any proposal or report he submits to NSF; and required that the Subject certify compliance with the requirements imposed by his University. The Subject appealed the determination, but his appeal was denied. Accordingly, this case is closed. NSF OIG Form 2 (11/02)
Plagiarism (Verbatim)
Published by the National Science Foundation, Office of Inspector General on 2017-02-01.
Below is a raw (and likely hideous) rendition of the original report. (PDF)