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Trustworthy Research Starts
with a Strong Foundation

The principles of Gold Standard Science are reflected in many longstanding University of Utah programs and initiatives. Together, these efforts support research integrity, ethical conduct, transparency, public access, responsible innovation, and accountability while fostering rigorous, reproducible research that benefits society.

 
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The Principles of Gold Standard Science

Gold Standard Science is grounded in nine core principles that help strengthen the quality, reliability, and integrity of scientific research. These principles provide a framework for conducting research that is rigorous, transparent, reproducible, and worthy of public trust.

An illustration shows the following items in a circle surrounding the text "Trustworthy Science" at the center: Ethical Review: Research is reviewed to protect people, animals, and communities and to uphold ethical standards Peer Review: Experts evaluate research to strengthen quality and vallidity. Conflict Management: Managing conflicts of interest protects objectivity and builds trust. Research Integrity: Honesty, accountability, and responsible conduct are the foundation of science. Mentorship: Guidance and support help develop skilled, ethical researchers. Rigor: Careful design, strong methods, critical evaluation. Reproducibility: Results can be tested, replicated, and confirmed. Transparency: Open communication, clear reporting, accessible data. Collaboration: Shared ideas, expertise and constructive feedback.

How the University of Utah Supports Trustworthy Science
The initiatives below demonstrate how the University of Utah supports trustworthy research through programs focused on integrity, transparency, compliance, data stewardship, and responsible innovation.

 

AI Governance and Responsible AI

The University of Utah supports the ethical, transparent, and accountable use of artificial intelligence through governance frameworks, guidance, and responsible AI initiatives that promote both innovation and research integrity.

Public Access & Research Sharing

The University of Utah supports transparency and broad access to research through public access initiatives, helping ensure federally funded research findings are available to researchers, practitioners, and the public.

Research Integrity & Compliance

Through a coordinated network of programs and services, the University of Utah promotes research integrity, ethical conduct, accountability, and responsible stewardship across the research lifecycle.

Conflict of Interest

The University of Utah helps researchers identify, disclose, and manage financial conflicts of interest to promote objectivity, protect research integrity, and maintain public trust.

Research Education & Responsible Conduct

The University of Utah provides education, training, and consultation services that help faculty, staff, and students conduct rigorous, ethical, and reproducible research while fostering a culture of accountability and excellence.

Quality Compliance & Research Improvement

The University of Utah provides tools, resources, and guidance that help researchers strengthen protocol compliance, improve data quality, and support reproducible, reliable research.

Research Ethics Consultation Services

The University of Utah's Research Ethics Consults program provides expert guidance to help researchers navigate complex ethical questions, supporting responsible decision-making and proactive issue resolution.

Reducing Administrative Burden

The University of Utah is working to streamline research processes, improve support services, and leverage modern technologies to reduce administrative burden while maintaining high standards of research integrity and rigor.
 

 

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The Work Behind Trustworthy Science

The Research Post interview with Dr. Caren Frost - July 29, 2026

When a scientific breakthrough captures national attention, the public usually sees the final result; a promising new therapy, a technological advance, or research that changes how we understand the world. What often goes unseen is the process that made that discovery possible...

Read the Article

Ensuring Scientific Rigor and Alignment with Federal "Gold Standard of Science" Expectations

Office of Sponsored Projects

Federal agencies are beginning to implement requirements aligned with the Executive Order on "Gold Standard Science," including expectations for transparency, reproducibility, integrity, and accessibility.

learn more at Osp

 

 

Last Updated: 9/23/26