Who Is an Investigator?

 

An Investigator is an individual who is independently responsible for, or significantly influences, the design, conduct, outcome, or reporting of University of Pittsburgh research.

An individual who meets the above definition is an Investigator, regardless of title, position, or salary support. An individual may qualify for authorship through significant contributions to University of Pittsburgh research but not meet the “independently responsible” or “significant influences” criteria required to be an Investigator.

The Principal Investigator (PI) or Project Director (PD) is ultimately responsible for determining who is an Investigator. The following guidance is intended to assist PIs and PDs in making these determinations. 

The following individuals are generally Investigators:

  • PI or PD
  • Co-PI or co-PD
  • Multiple Principal Investigator (MPI)
  • Senior/Key Personnel
  • Co-investigator
  • Senior Postdoc

The following individuals are Investigators only when the PI determines they are independently responsible for, or significantly influence, the design, conduct, outcome, or reporting of University of Pittsburgh research:

  • Graduate student
  • Junior Postdoc
  • Fellow
  • Consultant
  • Collaborator

The following individuals are usually not investigators:

  • Undergraduate student, technician, or any other individual when their participation in the University of Pittsburgh research is closely supervised
  • Administrator who performs routine or supportive tasks in support of the University of Pittsburgh research

Investigators must complete Conflict of Interest (COI) training. For more information about this requirement, click here.