Research Integrity Policy

Institute of Applied Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (IAAIR)
Last updated: 06/17/2025

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to uphold and promote the highest standards of honesty, accountability, transparency, and ethical conduct in all research activities carried out under the auspices of the Institute of Applied Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (IAAIR). It ensures that all research conducted by IAAIR personnel and affiliates maintains the public trust, reflects academic excellence, and aligns with the Institute’s mission to advance responsible and socially beneficial innovation.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all individuals involved in research at or on behalf of IAAIR, including:

  • Faculty and research staff

  • Postdoctoral fellows and graduate researchers

  • Interns and research assistants

  • Visiting scholars and collaborators

  • Contractors and external supervisors

It covers all research activities, regardless of discipline, funding source, or output format.

3. Core Principles

IAAIR researchers are expected to adhere to the following principles at all times:

3.1 Honesty

Be truthful in all aspects of research, including data collection, analysis, interpretation, authorship, and reporting. Do not fabricate, falsify, or misrepresent data or findings.

3.2 Rigor

Apply high standards of methodological and scientific rigor in designing, conducting, and evaluating research.

3.3 Transparency

Document research methods, data sources, and decision-making processes clearly and completely. Make results openly accessible where possible.

3.4 Accountability

Take full responsibility for the research conducted under your name or supervision, and be prepared to explain and justify decisions and results.

3.5 Respect

Respect human participants, animal subjects, communities, cultures, intellectual property, and institutional regulations. Secure appropriate ethical approvals and consents when required.

4. Prohibited Conduct

The following actions constitute research misconduct and are strictly prohibited:

  • Fabrication: Making up data, results, or findings

  • Falsification: Manipulating research materials, processes, or data to misrepresent outcomes

  • Plagiarism: Using others’ work or ideas without proper attribution

  • Improper Authorship: Including individuals who did not contribute or excluding those who did

  • Misuse of AI Tools: Generating content without disclosure or misrepresenting AI-assisted work as human-authored

  • Obstruction: Interfering with the research or review process or retaliating against those who report misconduct

5. Reporting and Investigation

Allegations of research misconduct must be reported promptly to the Office of Research Integrity (ORI) at IAAIR. All reports will be handled confidentially and investigated fairly.

The investigation process includes:

  • Preliminary assessment

  • Formal inquiry if warranted

  • Opportunity for response by the accused

  • Final determination by the Director of Research Integrity

Corrective actions may include retraction, notification to funding agencies or journals, loss of institutional privileges, or disciplinary measures.

6. Research Recordkeeping

Researchers must maintain complete and accurate records of:

  • Experimental procedures and protocols

  • Raw data and datasets

  • Model configurations and source code

  • Revisions and publication submissions

Records must be stored securely and retained in accordance with IAAIR’s data retention policy and any applicable sponsor requirements.

7. Conflicts of Interest

Researchers must disclose any personal, financial, or professional interests that may compromise, or appear to compromise, the objectivity of their work. Disclosures should be made during project initiation, manuscript submission, and grant proposals.

8. Supervision and Mentorship

Supervisors are responsible for modeling ethical research conduct and mentoring junior researchers in responsible practices. This includes guidance on authorship, peer review, data integrity, and collaboration etiquette.

9. Training and Education

All IAAIR researchers must complete annual training in Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR), covering topics such as:

  • Research ethics and compliance

  • Authorship and publication standards

  • Data management

  • Bias and reproducibility

  • Use of AI in research

Training completion is a prerequisite for research approval and internal funding.

10. Continuous Improvement

The Office of Research Integrity reviews and updates this policy regularly to reflect evolving norms, technologies, and legal requirements. Researchers are encouraged to provide feedback and participate in workshops to strengthen a culture of integrity.

11. Contact

For questions, guidance, or to report concerns confidentially, contact:

Office of Research Integrity
📧 hello@iaair.ai