Frequently Asked Question

If the COI Committee finds that I have a conflict of interest between my industry ties and my research, does that mean I cannot do the research?

No. A conflict is not a bad thing; rather, it is a situation which requires transparency and some additional measures to ensure the objectivity of the research. Conflict of Interest (COI) policies and disclosure requirements are concerned with potential bias or perceptions of bias, and with protecting human participants, students and the integrity of research. Penn State wants to see its researchers collaborating with industry, and COI Program staff will work with you and with other University administrators to find ways of managing potential conflicts in order to facilitate your research.