This manual outlines the research protocols for human subject research at American Public University System

UNIVERSITY POLICY ON ETHICAL CONDUCT IN RESEARCH, SCHOLARSHIP AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Public trust in the integrity and ethical behavior of scholars must be maintained if research and other scholarly activities are to continue to play their proper role in our University and society. It is the policy of APUS that research and educational activities carried out by its faculty, staff and students be characterized by the highest standards of integrity and ethical behavior. It is further the policy of the University to inform fully all affected parties where research data or other information related to projects or programs sponsored by, or under the administrative supervision of, the University have been falsified or otherwise misrepresented. Finally, it is the policy of the University to protect to the maximum extent possible the positions and reputations of those persons who, in good faith, make allegations of scientific misconduct and of those persons against whom allegations of misconduct are not confirmed.

Each member of the APUS community has a personal responsibility for implementing this policy in relation to any scholarly work with which he or she is associated and for helping his or her associates in continuing efforts to avoid any activity which might be considered in violation of this policy. Failure to comply with this policy shall be dealt with according to the procedures specified herein and is considered to be a violation of the trust placed in the faculty, staff and student researchers.

Procedures

1. 
   Failure to secure IRB approval before conducting human subjects research.
   
2. 
   Serious deviation, such as fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism, from practices commonly accepted in the research community for proposing or carrying out research, or in reporting the results of research.
   
3. 
   Material failure to comply with Federal requirements affecting specific aspects of the conduct of research or educational programs. Examples include, but are not limited to:
   
   1. 
      The protection of human subjects and the welfare of laboratory animals;
      
   2. 
      Fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, or other serious deviation from accepted practices in proposing, carrying out, or reporting results.
      
4. 
   Retaliation of any kind against a person who reported or provided information about suspected or alleged misconduct and who has not acted in bad faith.
   

Upon receipt of written allegations, the IRB Chair shall immediately report the concern to the Institutional Review Board

1. 
   Immediately upon receipt of the report, the Institutional Review Board shall conduct an inquiry, consisting of information-gathering and initial fact-finding to determine whether the charge warrants an investigation. The inquiry should normally be concluded within 30 days. If the judgment is made that the charge does not warrant an investigation, no further action is required.
   
2. 
   If no violation is found to have occurred, the research may continue.
   
3. 
   If the investigation finds a violation has occurred, the IRB Chair, in consultation with the Provost and the Institutional Review Board, shall (a) take appropriate action to preserve and protect the data and other records relevant to the charge, and (b) notify the individual of the initiation of the investigation and of his or her opportunity to appear on his or her own behalf before the IRB, and (c) take the appropriate steps to notify sponsors in accordance with applicable law and regulations. The IRB Chair may also suspend the individual accused from the project or activity in question. All data collected from human subjects without IRB approval must be destroyed and the research must stop immediately. Throughout the investigation the committee shall be sensitive to the effects of the proceedings on the individual, protecting his or her rights, and avoiding disclosure except to individuals who need to be involved in the investigation.
   
4. 
   Any breach of the APUS Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR )policy is a serious violation of professional standards and will result in sanctions. Sanctions may vary depending upon the severity of the infraction, but may include written warning, termination, expulsion, termination of research, and/or the destruction of research data. Actions taken by the IRB and the University also will be subject to Federal reporting guidelines.