OP001 - Data Collection Integrity Pledge

According the NIH, research integrity is defined as the use of honest and verifiable methods in proposing, performing and evaluating research. Data collectors play a vital role within the scientific research process because data collection activities are a crucial step toward valid and verifiable research analysis.

This pledge is a statement of my personal commitment to achieving integrity and honesty.

As part of the Model Systems research data collection team, I am responsible for holding myself to high scientific research values. I pledge to be honest, accurate, efficient, respectful and objective:

• I will convey information truthfully.

• I will report data accurately and precisely.

  • I will not fabricate or falsify data;

  • I will avoid independently interpreting participant’s responses while coding;

  • I will seek verification of data when appropriate.

• I will make every attempt to follow best practices and Model System procedures and policies.

• I will honor and respect our participants and teammates.

Name: ____________________________________

Signature: _________________________________ Date: _________________

Data fabrication is a rare but serious breach of data integrity. Falsification of data includes the intentional departure from Model System procedures, unreported by the interviewer, which could result in the contamination of data (deliberately misreporting codes or falsifying procedures; intentionally misrepresenting data collection procedures to management; and miscoding an answer to a question in order to avoid follow-up questions). Fabrication of data is reporting data that are not provided by the designated respondent as answers of that respondent.