Which statement is true regarding the U.S. Federal Research Misconduct Policy?

The correct statement regarding the U.S. Federal Research Misconduct Policy is that the action must have been committed intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly. This reflects the fundamental principle that research misconduct includes actions that violate the integrity of the research process, such as fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism. For a finding of misconduct to be established, there must be a clear demonstration of an intentional or reckless disregard for the standards of research conduct.

The emphasis on intentionality underscores the importance of accountability in research practices; it indicates that individuals must be aware of their actions and their implications for the validity and reliability of research findings. This criterion helps delineate misconduct from unintentional errors or honest mistakes that may occur in the research process.

Other options do not align with the established policy. The notion that misconduct could happen accidentally contradicts the requirement for intent, as mistakes or errors do not typically fall within the scope of research misconduct. The idea that intent is not necessary would undermine the policy's focus on accountability, and the assertion that only published results are subject to investigation ignores the fact that misconduct may occur at any stage of the research process, regardless of whether the results have been disseminated.