Objective:
The integrity of research data is critical to the success of the research process. A lack of confidence in research data leads to a lack of confidence in the results and impacts the decisions based on those results. As information technology has changed, so has the opportunity for mishandling of data selection, collection, analysis, reporting, and publishing. Other questions arise such as who has the responsibility to oversee data collection and analysis and who owns and has access to the data. Each of these issues relate to the long-term sustainability of standards for scientific integrity. An ad-hoc committee will conduct a study of the selection, collection, analysis, handling, oversight, reporting, publishing, ownership, access, and archiving of data. The proposed study will not address the issue of data related to human subjects. The anticipated product will be a report providing guidance to Congress, funding agencies, and academic leaders, administrators, and faculty. The report will be widely disseminated to the public including posting on the Internet.

Approach:
In this study, an ad-hoc committee will examine the roles of researchers, institutions, and journals in ensuring the integrity of research data. The committee will evaluate the current research environment and available technology, and propose research data integrity standards. Findings and recommendations will be addressed to agency officials, Congress and its staff, professional societies, and the educational community.