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Witnesses to research wrongdoing.
1California State University, East Bay, USA. joan.sieber@sbcglobal.net
Journal of Empirical Research on Human Research Ethics : JERHRE
|January 18, 2013
Summary
Research misconduct is common and varied. Principal investigators reported addressing issues like authorship disputes and data fabrication, with administrative mismanagement being surprisingly frequent. Institutions need better processes for handling these serious allegations.
Area of Science:
- Scientific integrity
- Research ethics
- Academic misconduct
Background:
- Research wrongdoing poses a significant threat to scientific integrity.
- Such misconduct is widespread and manifests in diverse forms.
- Principal investigators (PIs) are often witnesses and responders to research misconduct.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how principal investigators (PIs) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) perceive and respond to research wrongdoing.
- To identify the types of research misconduct encountered and the actions taken by PIs.
- To assess the prevalence of administrative mismanagement in handling research misconduct allegations.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative interviews were conducted with 135 principal investigators (PIs) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
- Respondents reported on witnessed research wrongdoing and their subsequent actions.
- Data collected covered various forms of misconduct and institutional responses.
Main Results:
- PIs reported diverse responses to misconduct, including formal notifications, peer discussions, and shaming.
- Observed misconduct ranged from improper authorship attribution to data falsification, fabrication, and plagiarism.
- Administrative mismanagement in handling allegations was reported as unexpectedly prevalent, exceeding other forms of wrongdoing.
Conclusions:
- Institutions may possess inadequate or inefficient processes for managing serious research misconduct.
- There is a need for institutions to develop more effective and agile programs to address research integrity issues.
- Resources and guidance are suggested to aid institutions in improving their management of research wrongdoing allegations.
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