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Updated: Jan 19, 2026
Detection of Gross Error: The Q Test
Detecting errors that result in retractions
Line Edslev Andersen1, K Brad Wray1
1Centre for Science Studies, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark.
Abstract:
We present a taxonomy of errors in the scientific literature and an account of how the errors are distributed over the categories. We have developed the taxonomy by studying substantial errors in the scientific literature as described in retraction notices published in the journal Science over the past 35 years. We then examine how the sorts of errors that lead to retracted papers can be prevented and detected, considering the perspective of collaborating scientists, journal editors and referees, and readers of the published articles.
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