Failing to properly attribute external research and presenting it as one’s own could constitute a violation of which Standard?

• A. Misrepresentation.
• B. Diligence and Reasonable Basis.
• C. Record Retention.
• D. Additional Compensation Arrangements.

Answer: (A)

Misrepresentation is the key issue: presenting external research as your own without proper attribution deceives others about the origin of the work. CFA Institute standards prohibit misrepresenting information, including claiming credit for work you did not produce or failing to disclose the true sources. When you attribute someone else’s research to yourself, you imply authorship and endorsement that aren’t accurate, eroding trust and undermining integrity. Proper attribution ensures transparency about sources and the basis of the analysis. The other standards address having a diligent and reasonable basis for recommendations, record retention, and disclosure of compensation arrangements, but they don’t specifically cover passing off someone else’s work as your own.