<< Previous Section | < Previous Page | Next Page > | Next Section >> Conflicts of Interest (COI) - Definitions Interest An interest may be defined as a commitment, goal, or value held by an individual or an institution. Examples include a research project to be completed, gaining status through promotion or recognition, and protecting the environment. Interests are pursued in the setting of social interactions. Conflict of Interest (COI) A conflict of interest exists when two or more contradictory interests relate to an activity by an individual or an institution. The conflict lies in the situation, not in any behavior or lack of behavior of the individual. That means that a conflict of interest is not intrinsically a bad thing. Examples include a conflict between financial gain and meticulous completion and reporting of a research study or between responsibilities as an investigator and as a treating physician for the same trial participant. Institutional examples include the unbalancing of the institutional mission by acceding to the space requests of a large donor for an idiosyncratic program. Other definitions include: Conflicts of interest are "situations in which financial or other personal considerations may compromise, or have the appearance of compromising, an investigator's judgement in conducting or reporting research." AAMC, 1990 "A conflict of interest in research exists when the individual has interests in the outcome of the research that may lead to a personal advantage and that might therefore, in actuality or appearance compromise the integrity of the research." NAS, Integrity in Scientific Research << Previous Section | < Previous Page | Next Page > | Next Section >> Chapter 4 Quick Links Conflicts of Interest (COI) Definitions Consequences of a COI Government Intervention Industry Sponsorship Professional Societies Clinical Practice Guidelines Other Initiatives COI in Financial Consulting Cases Bibliography Chapter 4 Download (PDF)