In order to uphold the scientific research integrity, China's related departments have issued a series of laws and regulations, and put forward guiding suggestions on the classification, the investigation procedures and the handling measures for the academic misconduct. The identification of the academic misconduct is the key link in the process from the investigation to the treatment, but it is difficult to formulate a generally applicable objective standard in identifying the academic misconduct. The identification very much depends on the subjective judgment of the academic community on the basis of the investigation. Based on a careful review , the influencing factors in the identifying process are analyzed, including the adequacy of launching conditions, the determination of the responsible persons, the effectiveness of the identified evidence, and the perspective of the identification. It is important to keep the subjective nature of the identifying mode in mind. It is suggested that the investigation and the identification should be carried out within the framework of laws and regulations to ensure the legitimacy of the procedures, protect the legitimate rights and interests of the persons concerned. A reliable identification conclusion should be drawn by the academic evaluation of the full investigation.

academic misconduct  /  scientific research integrity  /  investigation and handling  /  identification process