Research Integrity Guidelines

Supporting Objective Research in Pork Production

As part of its congressional mandate established in 1985, the National Pork Board (NPB) is tasked with investing Pork Checkoff funds to advance the pork industry through research that covers all areas of pork production and processing.

Pork Checkoff funding is a key mechanism to make independent, scientifically sound research possible for the benefit of America’s pig farmers and domestic and global pork consumers.

NPB’s Guiding Principles and Commitments

To maintain integrity and transparency in the conduct of this research, and to help minimize the potential for bias due to funding source, NPB abides by the below research integrity guidelines informed by accepted scientific practice and guiding principles:

• NPB requires the conduct or sponsorship of research that is factual, transparent, and designed objectively; according to accepted principles of scientific inquiry, the research design will investigate an appropriately phrased hypothesis and/or question, rather than favor a particular outcome.

• NPB requires that the control of the study design, the research itself, and the interpretation of findings remain with scientific investigators.

• NPB requires that if and where relevant, the researchers must disclose if the funder advised on the study design, conduct of research, and/or the development of the manuscript.

• NPB requires supported researchers, either acting within contract research entities/organizations or as contract researchers, disclose in publications and conference presentations, full written or oral disclosure, all relevant relationships from the NPB (financial and non-financial competing interests).

• NPB ensures that prior to the commencement of studies, there is a written agreement that the investigative team is encouraged to attempt to publish the findings within some specified timeframe and the freedom to choose the journal to which the work will be submitted and that the research team submit results from all completed studies for publication regardless of outcomes.

• NPB guarantees that payment of research is not contingent on the outcome of a research project.

• NPB requires that researchers not participate in undisclosed authorship arrangements in publications or presentations.

• NPB requires that academic researchers make clear statements of all their affiliations when they work in contract research organizations or act as contract researchers.

• When deemed necessary, NPB will issue a formal request for letters of intent that is open to the entire research community.

• NPB guarantees accessibility to all research reports provided by investigators and appropriate auditors/reviewers, and that as relevant projects adhere to applicable reporting guidelines.

• NPB is committed to the responsible communication of the studies it funds across mediums (e.g., media interviews, blog posts, etc.)

The National Pork Board reviews these research integrity guidelines on an annual basis to ensure they remain relevant, appropriate and useful.

LAST UPDATED: August 24, 2023