Articles tagged with Research Misconduct
Researchers believe that weaker penalties for misconduct, low investigation likelihood, and minimal perceived consequences contribute to increased misconduct. The study identifies three distinct groups of researchers, each with different perspectives on what drives misconduct.
The new section in JMIR Neurotechnology focuses on the responsible and ethical use of neurotechnology. Submissions welcome for original research, case series, theoretical viewpoints, and data-driven analyses on ethics and policy in neurotechnology.
Research waste refers to wasting scientific resources due to poor practices, compromising internal and external validity. JMIR Metascience and Research Integrity publishes metascience articles exploring the shortcomings of published literature and investigating its negative impact on real-world outcomes.
Researchers at Northwestern University and NIH emphasize the need to define plagiarism in AI-assisted research writing, as intellectual theft can occur without proper credit. The commentary recommends revising definitions of research misconduct to include GenAI tool misuse, promoting more responsible use.
Researchers surveyed in Sweden reveal differing attitudes towards research misconduct and questionable practices across disciplines. Medical scientists hold the strictest views, while social sciences and humanities researchers tend to be more lenient, particularly with regards to open science.
Between 2021 and 2024, government organizations accounted for around one-tenth of the estimated $336 million spent on advertising to news websites publishing health misinformation. Pharmaceutical companies also made notable contributions.
The partnership integrates Dimensions Author Check API into ScholarOne Manuscripts, providing publishers with reliable insights into authors' and reviewers' publishing histories. This integration enables quick detection of unusual activities, such as retractions or atypical collaboration patterns.
The new research integrity toolkit, created with and for early career researchers, addresses common questions and provides practical advice to avoid integrity pitfalls. The comprehensive guide covers the principles of research integrity, including determining authorship credit, understanding plagiarism, and handling integrity concerns.
A study has identified over 240 scientific publications with potentially problematic images, casting doubt on the validity of these studies. The findings highlight the need for journals and publishers to investigate image-related issues carefully to ensure the trustworthiness of animal-based research in this field.
The new Dimensions Author Check API enables publishers to integrate research integrity checks into their workflows, identifying potential issues such as retractions and unusual co-authorship patterns. This facilitates confident editorial decision-making and increases trust in science.
New indicators have been introduced to Taylor & Francis journal articles to inform readers when cited research has been retracted or updated. These updates ensure researchers are fully informed about the status of the research and can make informed decisions.
Scholastica's new integration with Crossmark allows journals to link article updates and retractions, ensuring the scholarly record's accuracy. The feature supports Crossref member organizations' efforts to maintain integrity and provide metadata for readers and downstream services.
A new study calls for the adoption of new research ethics policies to foster learning and discussion of ethical issues. The guidelines aim to shift from compliance-based ethics to promoting ethical norms and practices.
Philip Morris International (PMI) has secretly funded researchers at Kyoto University to conduct studies on smoking cessation. The tobacco giant also funded a life sciences consultancy to build an expert network, raising concerns about the manipulation of science for profit.
A study found that 64% of students did not engage in problematic behaviors, while 26% let participants take part despite knowing the hypothesis. Supervisors underestimated the prevalence of certain behaviors, highlighting the need for improved communication and Open Science education.
Disgraced transplant surgeon Paolo Macchiarini's misconduct at top institutions has raised concerns about patient treatment and wasted research dollars. Institutions such as University College London and Hospital Clinic Barcelona are urged to launch full investigations into their support for Macchiarini.
A study by WVU researcher Ednilson Bernardes found that supplier pool pressure contributed to the oversupply of prescription opioids like oxycodone and hydrocodone. The researchers analyzed transactions from 2006-2012, revealing that over 90% of supply came from just three generics manufacturers.
A new study suggests that replacing high-risk police officers with less likely to generate use-of-force complaints would reduce complaints by just 6 percent over a 10-year period. Researchers found that early warning systems and broader accountability measures are more effective in reducing misconduct.
Research from Syracuse University's Falk College reveals a significant correlation between the number of female executives and reduced player arrests. The study found that NFL teams with a critical mass of women executives had 21% fewer player arrests, suggesting a potential pathway to reduce off-the-job misconduct.
A study by Indiana University researchers found that Black police officers were more frequently disciplined for misconduct than White officers, despite an equal number of allegations. In Chicago, Black officers were disciplined at a 105% higher rate than white officers.
A Dartmouth study reveals that sexist attitudes have a greater influence on how voters view politicians accused of sexual misconduct than partisanship. The study found that favorability and electoral support decreased after respondents read about allegations of sexual assault or sexist jokes, with stronger reactions to the former.
Researchers found that partly random selected leaders are less prone to misusing their power, making decisions beneficial to the group. Competitive selection methods trigger leadership hubris, leading to detrimental outcomes.
A Northwestern University evaluation found that a procedural justice training program reduced complaints by 10% and use of force by 6%. The training, which typically takes one day, emphasizes transparency and responding to community concerns.
A recent study by Singapore Management University found that conservative boards are more likely to dismiss CEOs who have engaged in financial misconduct. The researchers used a scoring system to assess the political ideology of board directors and found that liberal boards were less likely to take action against the CEO.
A new study from the University of Notre Dame found that ethics training can reduce misconduct in the financial sector. Researchers analyzed nearly 1.2 million investment advisers and found those with more ethics training were one-fourth less likely to commit offenses.
Despite advances in communication and travel, international collaborations in science are threatened by political and economic realities. Current tensions between the US and China exemplify these hurdles, with concerns about foreign nations exploiting and undermining US research activities.
A Northwestern University study found that police officers who had colleagues previously named in use-of-force complaints were more likely to be named in subsequent complaints. The researchers recommend police departments consider the impact of assigning officers with histories of using excessive force on other officers' behavior.
A study from the University of Texas at Austin found a strong correlation between marital infidelity and professional misconduct. Researchers analyzed data from police officers, financial advisers, and CEOs to discover that individuals who cheated on their spouses were more likely to engage in corporate misconduct.
A new study found that over three-quarters of biology conferences lack codes of conduct, while those that do often fail to address key issues like sexual misconduct. The authors recommend improving codes by making them apparent, centering marginalized groups' experiences, and establishing clear reporting channels.
A Canadian Medical Association Journal editorial argues that the Motherisk program should be reinvented to support healthy pregnancies and births. The proposed program would involve collaboration among clinical experts, front-line providers, and health organizations to ensure responsible conduct and independence from industry.
A proposed U.S. advisory board for research integrity could standardize protocols and practices, providing resources to assess research environments and boost integrity.
A meta-analysis of nearly 80,000 firms across 20 countries found that independent audit committees offer the strongest protection against corporate misconduct. The study also showed that national corruption can undermine the effectiveness of board independence variants in curbing misconduct.
Researchers found employees with a criminal record stayed in their sales or customer service roles on average 19 days longer than those without. They also discovered that some employers may benefit from hiring workers with a record, as these individuals can provide valuable labor for less cost.
A study by Prof. Katrin Hussinger and Dr Maikel Pellens found an average drop in citations of 8-9% for previous colleagues of fraudulent scientists, impacting their career success and funding opportunities.
A new study by Taylor & Francis Group found that boards of directors can increase public trust towards an organization by addressing CEO misconduct through proactive measures. Firing the CEO or keeping it in place while offering a genuine apology and acknowledgment of wrongdoing both increased trust, but in different ways.
A new study by MIT researchers finds that retracted papers can lead to a 10% drop in citations for remaining work, with high-profile cases experiencing an even larger decline. The study suggests the scientific community reacts to new information through peer review, adjusting its view on the value of certain scholars' work.
A study on consent decrees and police misconduct found modest reductions in civil rights filings, suggesting increased public satisfaction with law enforcement agencies. Researchers argue that consent decrees may be a powerful tool for reforming problematic police departments.
A Stanford-led study analyzed over 3,000 meta analyses to identify the most common sources of scientific bias across 22 disciplines. Small studies consistently overestimate effect size, while factors like early career status and isolation from other researchers increase bias risk.
Researchers used objective datasets to examine US public corruption cases from 1986 to 2014. They found that overall corruption convictions are declining and mainly involve low-ranking officials, contrary to public perceptions of a rising trend.
A study of nearly 500 scientists found that honesty and curiosity are the core values of exemplary researchers, with 94% agreeing they can be learned through education. The study's findings highlight the importance of instilling desirable traits in the next generation of scientists.
A consultant cardiologist calls for a culture shift in British medicine to prioritize integrity and transparency, highlighting the case of Anjan Kumar Banerjee, who was awarded an MBE despite research fraud and financial misconduct. The doctor argues that the system is opaque and prone to manipulation.
Researchers from top institutions emphasize the need for high-quality science by addressing issues such as replication problems, researcher misconduct, and sensationalism. They propose solutions like rewarding quality work, mentoring peer-reviewers, and voluntary withdrawal of flawed papers.
A recent study by MIT scholars reveals that retracted papers can have a significant impact on the field, causing a relative decline in citations and funding. The study highlights the need for scientists to describe the nature of each retraction in more detail, as well as the importance of separating scientific value from misconduct.
A new study from Oregon State University found that private prisons have a disproportionate number of Hispanic inmates, while white inmates are underrepresented. The study suggests that racial disparities in inmate placement may lead to legal challenges for corrections officials.
Dr Zulfiqar Bhutta believes that criminal sanctions are necessary to deter research misconduct, citing high rates of scientific misconduct and significant human health consequences. However, Dr Julian Crane argues that criminalization would undermine trust in research and is not an effective deterrent.
A study of 228 cases of misconduct reported by the US Office of Research Integrity found that males committed 65% of the fraud, with higher rates among faculty and senior researchers. The study's findings suggest a need for increased ethics training for scientists at all levels.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal calls for a new agency to investigate research misconduct, addressing conflicts of interest and promoting transparency.
A recent study estimates that investigating allegations of scientific misconduct can cost up to $525,000 per case. The authors also found that annual reported cases in the US could exceed $110 million. By prioritizing prevention, academic institutions can reduce these substantial costs and promote a culture of integrity.
Top academics from 58 countries meet to develop guidelines for promoting research integrity on a global scale. The conference aims to establish a 'Singapore Statement' as a benchmark for research integrity, with the goal of creating a standard for research practices worldwide.
The new code addresses good practice and bad conduct in science, offering a basis for trust and integrity across Europe. Researchers will have a common set of standards to self-regulate the research community, preventing misconduct that can endanger reputations.
Drummond Rennie receives AAAS Scientific Freedom and Responsibility Award for his efforts to promote integrity in scientific publishing and research. He is recognized for his advocacy on issues such as publication bias, conflicts of interest, and compulsory registration of clinical trials.
Bioethicists at the University of Pennsylvania recommend updating protections for human research subjects in response to rapid changes in medical practice. The new guidelines prioritize vulnerable populations, including those with mental illnesses and pregnant women, and aim to prevent abuse and misconduct.