Ethical Conduct

Maintaining the reputation of the NIH for the highest ethical standards is the goal of the entire scientific community. Any questions or concerns on Research Ethics should be directed to the Agency Intramural Research Integrity Officer, Dr. Kathryn M. Partin, AIRIO (301-451-7764). The AIRIO office can also be reached via AIRIO@nih.gov.

This section of the Sourcebook provides information or links for Ethical Conduct in each of specific areas below:

Research Misconduct

• Anonymous Reporting of Research Misconduct Concerns (Web form)

Guidelines on Conduct of Research

Research Ethics

• NIH Policies
• NIH Guidelines

Authorship Guidelines and Resources

• Authorship Guidelines and Resources
• NIH IRP Authorship Conflict Resolution Process

Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELN)

• Intramural Electronic Lab Notebook Policy
• Frequently Asked Questions About the Use of ELNs at NIH
• Basic Principles and Best Practices in Keeping an ELN
  • Keeping an Electronic Lab Notebook: Best Practices for Trainees
  • Keeping an Electronic Lab Notebook: Best Practices for PIs

Special Research Considerations

• Dual-Use Research
• Policy on the Ordering or Provision of Synthetic Nucleic Acids in the IRP 
• Policies & Procedures for Human Fetal Tissue Research
• Human Stem Cell Use

Responsible Conduct of Research Training

• Instruction in Responsible Conduct of Research for Postdoc IRTA, CRTA, VF, Research Associates
• Instruction in Responsible Conduct of Research for Postbacs and GPP Students
• Resources for Training Directors
• Annual Review of Ethics (Case Studies)

Government Ethics

• NIH Ethics Program and Policies
• Guidelines
• Other Ethics Topics

Bioethics

• Clinical Research Topics
• Genetics and Genomics
• Clinical Ethics
• Health Policy