CDC guidance on scientific integrity

Purpose: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (CDC/ATSDR-henceforth referred to as CDC) has numerous policies on various aspects of scientific integrity that may not be known to its scientists. This document provides an overarching summary of the policies, activities, and guiding principles that exist within CDC in support of four key areas of scientific integrity: (1) foundations of scientific integrity in government, (2) public communications, (3) use of federal advisory committees, and (4) professional development of government scientists and engineers. This guide allows CDC scientists, and those who support its scientific endeavors, to easily locate the appropriate policies that support the agency's principles for scientific integrity. The purpose of this guide is to ultimately strengthen scientific integrity in the conduct of CDC science, assure the public of the credibility of the agency's scientific findings and results, and provide a transparent platform to demonstrate CDC's commitment to a culture of scientific integrity. By embodying the principles of scientific integrity, CDC will continue to uphold the core values of accountability, respect, and integrity. Scope: The guiding principles in this document represent an identification and synthesis of policies and activities that support scientific integrity in the four key areas. They are meant to complement and highlight the numerous CDC policies and activities that address and support scientific integrity and serve as an overarching framework under which existing policies and more detailed program guidance and activities will continue. Because of the integrated nature of the guiding principles outlined herein and the broadness of some policies, many of the same policies and activities may be cited across multiple sections of this guide.Roles and Responsibilities -- -- CDC Core Values -- -- Foundations of Scientific Integrity -- -- Ensure a culture of scientific integrity -- Ensure credibility of government research -- Facilitate the free flow of scientific and technological information -- Establish principles for conveying scientific and technological information to the public -- -- Public Communications -- Response to media inquiries -- Speak on official work without interference from media communication or policy office -- Mechanisms to resolve disputes that arise during clearance process -- -- Use of Federal Advisory Committees -- Recruitment process -- Professional biographical information -- Membership selection process -- Public availability of conflict of interest waivers -- Federal advisory committee reports, recommendations, and products -- -- Professional Development of Government Scientists and Engineers -- Encourage publication of research findings in peer-reviewed, professional, or scholarly journals -- Encourage presentation of research findings at professional meetings -- Scientists serving as editors of editorial board members -- Scientists participating in professional or scholarly societies, committees, and task forces -- Allow government scientists and engineers to receive honors and awards for their research -- -- Implementation"Feb 2012."Mode of access: Internet from the CDC web site as an Acrobat .pdf file (315 KB, 26 p.)