What is the primary function of Research Integrity or Research Compliance positions in research governance?

Auditing ongoing studies and developing institutional policies to prevent misconduct.

Professionals in Research Integrity or Research Compliance occupy vital roles focused on maintaining ethical rigor throughout the research lifecycle, often bridging the gap between ethical theory and federally mandated practice. Their central responsibilities include proactive oversight, such as auditing studies that are currently in progress to verify adherence to ethical standards and participant safety protocols. Additionally, they are tasked with the administrative development of comprehensive institutional policies designed specifically to prevent research misconduct. This work is intrinsically linked to institutional success in securing and maintaining funding from sources like the National Institutes of Health, as ethical adherence is mandatory for continued grant support.