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Research universities are voicing concerns over some proposed changes to the process for reviewing scientific misconduct allegations, citing worries that new government requirements would hobble their own independent procedures and constitute a huge administrative burden.

Nearly two decades since it last released research misconduct rules, the U.S. Office of Research Integrity (ORI) is ready to update its requirements for ensuring the scientific standards of projects funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, including the National Institutes of Health.

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The proposed changes, published on Oct. 6, include a new formal process that institutions would follow in reviewing allegations, a 30-day deadline for institutions to assess allegations, and provisions that make it harder to quickly dismiss cases that institutions believe to be “honest errors.”

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