Policies & Procedures

The full SCDM Policies & Procedures Manual, last updated in August 2018, provides a detailed outline of how SCDM operates in a number of key areas.

Plagiarism Policies

SCDM defines plagiarism as the reuse of someone else’s prior ideas, processes, results, or words without explicitly acknowledging the original author and source. It is important for all SCDM authors to recognize that plagiarism in any form, at any level, is unacceptable and is considered a serious breach of professional conduct, with potentially severe ethical and legal consequences.

Equally important to the process of recognizing an act of plagiarism is clarifying who shall be responsible for responding to any complaints of alleged plagiarism. These guidelines specify that the person(s) responsible for the specific SCDM publication or program shall be responsible for conducting an investigation and determining if plagiarism has in fact taken place. In order to accomplish this critical task, the responsible person(s) shall discuss the incident with the applicable SCDM committee or taskforce to help make a recommendation on the allegation. Emphasis is placed on ensuring that an unbiased process is followed.

The scope of this document shall include all materials published on behalf of SCDM, which includes (but is not limited to):

    • SCDM Data Basics
    • SCDM Data Connections
    • SCDM Conference Abstracts and Presentations
    • Educational Offerings and Webinars
    • Good Clinical Data Management Practices (GCDMP©)

Membership Policies

Membership shall include:

  • Employees of pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies who have direct involvement in or direct supervision of Clinical Data Management
  • Representatives of third-party organizations who provide support to the industries above, such as contract research organizations, consultants, hardware or software vendors and personnel search and placement firms
  • Members of the academic community involved in managing data from clinical trials or those offering or studying educational curricula on the management of clinical information
  • Employees of regulatory agencies involved in the management or review of clinical trial data
  • Scientific researchers of related disciplines who express a keen interest in data management practices but are not included in the categories above
  • Students enrolled in CDM or clinical research courses working toward a certificate or degree at an accredited university

All members have the right to vote in SCDM elections and are entitled to attend and speak at SCDM conferences.
Any member acting on behalf of SCDM may do so only with the express written permission of the Chair of the Board of Trustees.
The Board of Trustees may revoke the membership status of any member whose conduct is judged in conflict with the purpose of the Society.
Membership fees will not be refunded nor prorated. Transfer of membership is only granted to organizational membership holders and will not be permitted for individual membership.

Member Hardship Policy

Members who are unable to pay their dues as a result of unemployment can apply for SCDM’s member hardship waiver.

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