Research Integrity Committee (RIC)

Purpose of the Research Integrity Committee

The integrity of the scientific record is an important value for ASRM and allegations will be managed according to three principles:

1. Fairness:
   • All received cases are assessed, and each case will be assessed on its own merits. Prior retractions or allegations of misconduct will not be considered.
   • Steps are determined using guidance from the International Committee on Publications Ethics (COPE).
   • Dispositions are agreed upon using a consensus process supported by votes of the committee members.

2. Confidentiality: Confidentiality is strictly maintained for all cases and deliberations. This policy is reviewed at the start of each meeting of the Committee.

3. Respect: Communications from ASRM and within ASRM will be timely, specific, respectful, and confidential.

Composition of the Committee:

The Committee is comprised of individuals with expertise in study design and methodology, clinical research, biostatistical analysis, and legal assessment. Each committee member declares their conflicts of interest annually and when appropriate for individual discussions, and the policy is reviewed at each meeting of the Committee.

Allegation Response

Receive

• Receipt is acknowledged
• Case is logged and added to the workflow
• Case is assigned

Assess

• Reviewed by Committee 
• Standardized worksheet used
• Discussed in Committee
• Next steps voted on

Investigate

• Communicate with complainant if decline to investigate
• Communicate with corresponding author/co-author(s)/institution(s) to resolve concerns

Determine

• Assess response
• Vote on appropriate resolution: no further action, erratum, expression of concern, or retraction
• Communicate disposition with corresponding author/co-author(s)/institution(s)

Resolve

• Publish correction to the scientific record if warranted OR
• Close the investigation with no further action 
• Notify the complainant of the resolution