For research scientists, the landscape of government regulations, ethical guidelines and accountability standards is changing more quickly than ever, making the task of staying up-to-date with forms and protocols a constant challenge for even the most diligent.

Cornell's new Office of Research Integrity and Assurance (ORIA), established this year to provide educational resources, guidance and support to researchers universitywide, is geared toward making the process a little smoother.

E. Ray Stinson, an information computer scientist who most recently was assistant vice president for research at Wayne State University, leads the new office on Thornwood Drive. Public interest in supporting scientific research has increased in recent years, he said, but "as that support has increased, so have the concerns about the way in which research is done. While people are extremely positive about the outcomes, they tend to be hesitant about how research is conducted" -- especially in experiments using human participants or animal subjects.

As a central office responsible for all issues related to research integrity and compliance, ORIA advises scientists on increasingly complex regulatory issues; helps researchers through government audits when necessary; guides them on issues related to importing and exporting research materials and using hazardous agents; and handles conflict-of-interest questions. ORIA also supports and coordinates with university research committees in a variety of functions, including setting standards for record keeping and documentation of research activities; managing protocol review and approval processes; and overseeing Cornell programs of accreditation, assurance and licensing.

"There are increasing demands placed on us by regulatory agencies, and it takes an increasing amount of attention to keep up with the requirements," said Robert Richardson, Cornell senior vice provost for research. "We've been relying a great deal on our faculty in addressing the multiple obligations that come with doing research with support from the federal and state governments. With ORIA, we are increasing our level of professional support to the faculty. Our shared priority is to protect both the safety of the public and the integrity of the research we carry out.

"There is a certain natural tension that exists between regulatory requirements and the furtherance of research. The purpose of the ORIA is to help the faculty work through these processes," Richardson added.