When presenting their research, researchers are expected to disclose financial interests or relationships with outside entities that could bias – or appear to bias – the design, conduct or reporting of the research. Disclosure provides transparency about any apparent, existing or potential financial conflicts of interest.
Below are sample statements that may be used in presentations, publications or other media for disclosing financial interests that may create or appear to create a conflict of interest. Sometimes, the financial interest is held by the researcher’s significant other and/or dependent children. For all examples below, “researcher” may be replaced with a reference to the researcher’s significant other or dependent children, as appropriate.
Generally speaking, disclosure statements should identify the following:
- The individual with the financial interest;
- The financial interest and/or entity creating the actual or potential conflict; and
- The relationship between the financial interest and the research being presented.
As the examples below illustrate, disclosure may be prudent - or even required by the university - in cases where there is no current direct relationship between the financial interest and the research being presented.
When a researcher and the university have approved a management plan or entered into other agreements to minimize or mitigate any real, apparent or potential financial conflicts, researchers may enhance their disclosure statement with a reference to the existence of the plan or agreement.
The statements below do not reflect the universe of all types of outside financial interests or relationships that should be disclosed. Contact Research Compliance Services with questions or concerns about requirements and standard practices regarding disclosing financial interests when presenting research.
Disclosing ownership/equity interest of an outside entity
When the researcher owns/is part owner of an entity – private or non-profit – that provides goods or services related to the researcher’s institutional responsibilities, the researcher should identify the company name, briefly explain what it does, and explain how the company is related to the research.
Template: [Person with conflict] owns/is part owner of (company name). (Company name, what it does, and description of how the company and research are/are not related.)
Example of potential conflict: Dr. Doe has an equity interest in ACME Inc. ACME Inc. develops water purity testing devices. ACME Inc. may potentially benefit financially from the research findings on filtration systems presented here.
Example of no current relationship between the financial interest and the research: Dr. Doe has an equity interest in ACME Inc. ACME Inc. develops water testing devices. The research findings on filtration systems presented here are not related to any products or services currently provide by ACME Inc.
Disclosing compensation from outside entity
When the researcher receives compensation from an entity – private or non-profit – for work related to the researcher’s institutional responsibilities, the researcher should identify the company name, briefly explain what it does, and explain how the company is related to the research.
Template: [Person with conflict] is a paid consultant for (entity name). (Entity name, what it does, and description of how the entity and research are related.)
Example of existing or potential conflict: The author of this paper, Dr. Doe, has received compensation from ACME Inc. for consulting services related to the potential for scientific advancements to improve the durability of its products. ACME Inc. develops and sells products that stand to be improved by the research results presented here.
Example of no current relationship between the financial interest and the research: The author of this paper, Dr. Doe, has received compensation from ACME Inc. for consulting services related to the potential for scientific advancements to improve the durability of its products. The research being reported here is unrelated to any of ACME Inc.’s current products or services.
Disclosing a management role
When the researcher serves in a paid or unpaid management role – e.g. member of advisory board, board of directors member, Chief Scientific Officer – for a private or non-profit entity related to the researcher’s institutional responsibilities, the researcher should disclose their role and the entity name, briefly explain what it does, and explain how the entity is related to the research.
Template: [Person with conflict] has an affiliation with (explain affiliation, e.g. serve as an unpaid consultant for, am chief scientific officer for, volunteer on board of directors, etc.) (entity name). (Description of what the entity does, how the entity and research are related.)
Example of existing or potential conflict: Dr. Doe, the primary investigator of the assessment research being reported here, serves on the Board of Directors of Helping Services USA, a non-profit that advocates the use of and provides assessments for the detection and diagnosis of early learning disabilities. Helping Services USA provides the assessment featured in the research here.
Example of no relationship between the financial interest and the research: Dr. Doe, the primary investigator of the assessment research being reported here, serves on the Board of Directors of Helping Services USA, a non-profit that advocates the use of and provides assessments for the detection and diagnosis of early learning disabilities. Helping Services USA does not currently advocate for or provide the assessment featured in the research here.
Disclosing receipt of royalties or other income for intellectual property (IP)
When the researcher receives royalties or other income from intellectual property (IP) that is involved in or may otherwise be impacted by the research, the researcher should disclose the financial interest in the IP and its relationship to the research.
Template: [Person with conflict] receives royalties for intellectual property that is subject to evaluation or improvement through the research presented here.
Example of existing or potential conflict: The assessment that is the subject of this research is commercially available and published through Assessments, Inc. Dr. Doe receives royalties for sales of the assessment.
Example of no relationship between the financial interest and the research: The assessment that is the subject of this research is commercially available and published through Assessments, Inc. Dr. Doe does not receive any royalties for sales of the assessment.
Research is supported (financially or otherwise) by outside entity
When the research is funded or otherwise supported by an outside entity, the researcher should disclose the entity’s support of and relationship to the research.
Template: The research findings (or, some or part of the research) discussed/presented were supported by (name of entity). (Description of what the entity does, how the entity and research are related.)
Example: The research project findings discussed here were supported by funding from ACME Inc. ACME Inc. sells products related to this research.
Disclosure of the University of Oregon’s financial interest in the research
When the University of Oregon has a financial interest in the research, the researcher should disclose the University’s financial relationship to the research.
Template: The University of Oregon has (explain financial interest, e.g. ownership in, intellectual property rights, etc.) and may financially benefit from this research.
Example: The University of Oregon owns the intellectually property rights in the assessment being evaluated in this research and may financially benefit from the outcome of the research.