Terms of Use

Last Updated September 9, 2024

Introduction

Science Integrity Alliance LLC (“the Alliance”, “us”, “our”, and “we”) is a company dedicated to promoting robust collaboration, fostering synergistic partnerships, and cultivating integrity within the scientific community. We operate the website www.sci-integrity.com (“Website” or “Services”). By using our Website and Services, you accept the terms and conditions outlined herein.

Disclaimer

While we strive to ensure the accuracy of information on our Website and Services, no express or implied conditions or warranties are provided, including those arising by law, statute, usage of trade, or course of dealing. The Alliance may modify content at any time without notice, including updates to our LEARN, STRIDE, HIKE, MIRROR, and JUNIOR hubs, and membership fees and benefits. We are not liable for any loss or damage resulting from your use of our Website and Services, which is at your own risk.

Third-Party Links and User Content

Our Website and Services may include links to third-party sites and content posted by users of the HIKE forum, a members-only area. These links and user-generated content are provided for convenience and do not imply our endorsement. We are not responsible for the accuracy or legality of such content and disclaim any liability. Users who violate our Code of Conduct in the HIKE forum may face sanctions including temporary or permanent bans and membership termination.

Code of Conduct

Our Code of Conduct is designed to create a supportive and inclusive environment by promoting respectful and positive interactions. It includes:

Expected Behavior: Kindness, empathy, respect for diverse perspectives, constructive feedback, proper citation of sources, and staying on topic.
Unacceptable Behavior: Offensive language or imagery; sexual, abusive, or suggestive content involving minors; personal attacks; illegal or prohibited transactions; harassment; sharing private information without consent; impersonation of another individual or entity; and misuse of discussion categories.
Consequences: Violations may result in warnings, bans, or membership termination. In the remote instances that such unacceptable behavior violates applicable law, said behavior may be reported to law enforcement authorities.
Reporting: Incidents should be reported to forum moderators or via contactus@sci-integrity.com.
Scope: Applies to all interactions within the HIKE forum.

Registration

You can explore the site without signing up, but certain features of the Service require you to create an account by providing an email address and password. You are required to provide accurate, complete, and up-to-date information during registration. Failing to do so may violate the Terms of Use and could lead to the immediate termination of your account. When signing up, or afterward, you may choose to keep your profile public or create a private account. Only visitors with an active membership plan can access the public profiles of other users.

Membership

The Alliance offers membership plans that provide access to specific Services. All plans automatically renew every 12 months and require compliance with our Code of Conduct. You will receive a notification prior to your renewal date, allowing you the option to cancel if desired. If you choose to cancel before the end of the current term, your plan will remain active until its expiration date. All fees paid are non-refundable.

Members are responsible for providing and maintaining accurate registration information and safeguarding their account credentials. Any misuse of account details, or failure to keep information up to date, may lead to account termination.

For more information on membership benefits and pricing, please refer to our Membership page. Membership benefits are reviewed annually and may be adjusted to better serve the evolving needs of our community.

Partnerships

Entities committed to advancing ethical and responsible research practices are invited to join the Science Integrity Alliance as partners. Partners receive recognition on our website and other channels, and may contribute to content creation, participate in forums, and engage in collaborative projects without monetary compensation from the Alliance.

Eligible organizations—such as start-ups, non-profits, and initiatives supported by legal entities—can join with written consent if invited, or apply for review by our executive office. There are no costs to join, and each partner receives unrestricted access to our member-only services for one user, along with the benefits outlined on our Partners page.

Donations

We welcome donations of any amount as a form of support for the Alliance. Every contribution helps advance our mission, sustain ongoing projects, and develop new initiatives that promote scientific integrity. All donations to the Alliance are made in good faith, without contingencies. Donations are non-refundable and are not tax-deductible.

Copyright

The Website and its content are protected by copyright and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except for pages containing member-exclusive content, which are subject to copyright owned by the Alliance. Users must not modify, nor reproduce any member-exclusive content on the Website without the prior written permission of the Alliance. Permissions for materials owned by third parties must be obtained from the respective owners.

Our logos and marks may not be used by external organizations or businesses without prior written approval. Exceptions are granted for partners and contributors, provided the Alliance can review and approve all marketing materials. Approved usage must adhere to the Alliance's branding guidelines.

To request permission to use a logo or mark, or to learn more about our branding guidelines, please contact us at admin@sci-integrity.com.

Third-Party Consulting Service Recommendations

The Alliance may recommend third-party consulting services based on client needs. Recommendations are discretionary and third-party service providers may pay a fee to the Alliance.

Amendments

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Changes take effect immediately upon posting. Users are encouraged to review the Terms regularly.

TERMS OF USE