Personal Motivations and Systemic Incentives: Scientists on Questionable Research Practices

Area of Science:

• Academic science
• Scientific research integrity

Background:

• Growing concern over questionable research practices (QRPs) in academic science over the past two decades.
• Previous reform efforts have been debated, but few have solicited wide-ranging input from researchers.
• Need for reforms to be responsive to scientists' views and concerns for successful implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To qualitatively report on federally funded scientists' views regarding reforms to address QRPs.
• To understand researchers' perspectives on the causes and solutions for QRPs within their disciplines.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of responses from federally funded scientists.
• Focus on soliciting wide-ranging input on needed reforms to combat QRPs.

Main Results:

• Scientists identified institutional and career-oriented incentives as key drivers of QRPs.
• Participants expressed surprisingly low confidence in the effectiveness of ethics training for improving research integrity.
• A gap exists between proposed reforms and the practical concerns of scientists.

Conclusions:

• Addressing QRPs requires tackling systemic issues related to institutional and career incentives.
• Rethinking the reliance on ethics training as the primary solution for research integrity is necessary.
• Future reforms should prioritize incorporating scientists' direct feedback and concerns for greater efficacy.