About Scientific Integrity

Key points

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ensures the highest possible scientific integrity is used to conduct our critical work.
  • The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) assembled an interagency taskforce to review scientific integrity policies and practices.
  • Read about CDC's commitment to scientific integrity and federal guidance on scientific integrity practice and policy.

CDC Scientific Integrity Policy

Golden Compass Concept
This policy reinforces the agency’s commitment to scientific excellence and supports the scientific activities of CDC’s world-class scientists, researchers, and public health professionals.

View the CDC Scientific Integrity Policy

Active links to CDC operational policies referenced in this policy will be made publicly available as soon as practicable.

Purpose

Scientific integrity is the adherence to professional practices, ethical behavior, and the principles of honesty and objectivity when conducting, managing, using the results of, and communicating about science and scientific activities. Inclusivity, transparency, and protection from inappropriate influence are hallmarks of scientific integrity.

Science is the foundation of CDC's mission to save lives, protect people, and promote health for all. CDC's world-class scientists, researchers, and health professionals are committed to using the highest possible scientific integrity and quality standards and practices to conduct our critical work. CDC continually works to strengthen its scientific integrity infrastructure to evolve and keep pace with advances in science and technology.

Protecting integrity

CDC Pledge
The agency's pledge to the American people involves five commitments, starting with being a diligent steward of the funds entrusted to it.

Federal and HHS Scientific Integrity Resources

Federal Regulations and Protections

CDC Employee Ethics and Compliance

Laboratory Policies and Practices

Contact Us

To report scientific integrity concerns or suspected research misconduct at CDC, contact the CDC Scientific Integrity Official: ScientificIntegrity@cdc.gov. For a more thorough assessment of your concerns, please include as much of the following information as possible:

  • A description of your concerns, including the CDC research or CDC science you believe is impacted, and how.
  • A description of the processes, records, materials, presentations, or publications you believe are affected, including any relevant details, such as dates, times, locations, and citations.
  • If possible, name the individuals you believe may have committed the alleged violation of scientific integrity, any witnesses, and if known their CDC affiliations and contact information.
  • Include any other information that you believe is relevant or supporting documents.
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About Scientific Integrity