The university research environment encourages scientific inquiry, protects academic freedom and discourages conduct that deviates from acceptable norms, in all levels of research. The Office of Research Advancement at the Keck School of Medicine has oversight responsibility for research conduct and arranges for the Scientific Conduct Committee to evaluate allegations of deviant conduct and determine, after a preliminary analysis, if allegations have merit.

The Scientific Conduct Committee is appointed annually, with options for repeated terms. The school's Governance Document charges the vice dean for research with oversight responsibility for research conduct and provides for the committee to evaluate all allegations of deviant conduct. The committee membership is comprised of senior faculty members with significant achievement in research and with administrative experience pertinent to committee function.  The committee hears evidence and determines, after preliminary analysis, if allegations have merit. The committee meets on an ad hoc basis, meeting only when formal investigations are necessary. The determinations of the committee are transmitted to the faculty under question, the department chairs and the provost.

The Office of Compliance assists the USC research community in complying with a variety of rules and regulations associated with all matters of Scientific Integrity   

USC’s policies and procedures related to scientific misconduct may be found in the USC Scientific Misconduct Policy.