Article
Ethics
Matthias Kaiser, Laura Drivdal, Johs Hjellbrekke, Helene Ingierd, Ole Bjorn Rekdal
Summary: The study found a low percentage of self-reported fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism (FFP) among researchers, but a troublingly high percentage of researchers reporting engaging in more questionable research practices (QRPs). Overall, researchers generally consider FFP to be more serious than QRPs.
SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING ETHICS
(2022)
Review
Ethics
Yu Xie, Kai Wang, Yan Kong
Summary: This meta-analysis provides updated estimates of the prevalence of research misconduct (RM) and questionable research practices (QRPs), highlighting factors that influence the prevalence of these issues. Results show that researchers often witness others committing RM and using QRPs, with response proportion, limited recall period, career level, disciplinary background, and locations significantly affecting the prevalence of irresponsible research behaviors.
SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING ETHICS
(2021)
Editorial Material
Medical Ethics
Lex Bouter
Summary: Research data mismanagement poses a serious threat to accountability, reproducibility, and data re-use. However, the categorization of RDMM into intentional misconduct and unintentional questionable practice is not accurate. It is challenging to prove intentionality, and other criteria should be considered when determining the severity of a breach of research integrity. Instead of focusing on intentionality and sanctions, efforts should be directed towards improving data management practices through preventive actions led by research institutions.
ACCOUNTABILITY IN RESEARCH-ETHICS INTEGRITY AND POLICY
(2023)
Article
Ethics
Tine Ravn, Mads P. Sorensen
Summary: This paper is the first systematic account of disciplinary similarities and differences in questionable research practices (QRPs), shedding light on the close connection between QRPs and distinct research practices within different areas of research.
SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING ETHICS
(2021)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Nicole Shu Ling Yeo-Teh, Bor Luen Tang
Summary: Predatory journals masquerade as genuine academic publications without rigorous peer review, focusing on financial profit over scientific dissemination. Such practices can flood scientific literature with unsound research, potentially misleading policy makers and damaging the reputation of science. Wilfully submitting to predatory journals may be considered an act of avoidance of peer review and scientific misconduct, which could be effectively discouraged through institutional and funding rules.
Article
Education & Educational Research
Daniel R. Isbell, Dan Brown, Meishan Chen, Deirdre J. Derrick, Romy Ghanem, Maria Nelly Gutierrez Arvizu, Erin Schnur, Meixiu Zhang, Luke Plonsky
Summary: Scientific progress relies on the integrity of data and research findings. A survey of applied linguists conducting quantitative research revealed that approximately 1 in 6 admitted to scientific misconduct and 94% admitted to questionable research practices relevant to quantitative research. The researchers' background and training were found to have associations with these practices.
MODERN LANGUAGE JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Robert M. Kwee, Maan T. Almaghrabi, Thomas C. Kwee
Summary: The study found that radiologists generally pay attention to scientific integrity, with some admitting to scientific fraud, publication bias, and honorary authorship. While their confidence in the integrity of published work was relatively high, there is still room for improvement. It is recommended to initiate cultural and policy reforms to address these issues.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medical Ethics
Nicole Shu Ling Yeo-Teh, Bor Luen Tang
Summary: Good record keeping practice and research data management are essential for responsible research conduct and reproducibility of findings. Inadequate research data management often accompanies research misconduct. Research data mismanagement (RDMM) can be considered a questionable research practice and in severe cases, an act of research misconduct. This article analyzes the contexts and circumstances under which RDMM can be viewed as misrepresentation or fabrication of research data, and discusses how it can be adjudicated as research misconduct based on intent and consequences.
ACCOUNTABILITY IN RESEARCH-POLICIES AND QUALITY ASSURANCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
V. T. Nguyen, M. K. Sharp, C. Superchi, G. Baron, K. Glonti, D. Blanco, M. Olsen, T. T. Vo Tat, C. Olarte Parra, A. Neveol, D. Hren, P. Ravaud, I. Boutron
Summary: The aim of this study was to describe the research practices of doctoral students facing a dilemma in research integrity and assess the impact of inappropriate research environments, specifically exposure to a post-doctoral researcher or supervisor engaged in detrimental research practices. The findings suggest that neither post-doctoral researchers nor supervisors had a significant impact on student research practices.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Education & Educational Research
Matthew C. Makel, Jaret Hodges, Bryan G. Cook, Jonathan A. Plucker
Summary: The study found that many education researchers use both questionable and open research practices, providing baseline information for them to understand existing social norms and consider how to improve research practices.
EDUCATIONAL RESEARCHER
(2021)
Article
Business
Sven Kepes, Sheila K. Keener, Michael A. McDaniel, Nathan S. Hartman
Summary: Questionable research practices (QRPs) have an impact on the publication and credibility of research papers. Researchers use various methods to increase the probability of achieving statistical significance, and some unsupported hypotheses are modified to become supported. The hypotheses in articles may have been created after the results were known. Articles published in prestigious journals are more likely to employ these questionable practices.
JOURNAL OF ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR
(2022)
Editorial Material
Medical Ethics
Jesse D. Troy, Frank Rockhold, Gregory P. Samsa
Summary: Questionable research practices (QRP) refer to a range of actions taken by researchers that violate research best practices and pose risks to institutions and research participants. In this editorial, the risks associated with QRP are discussed and mitigation strategies at the institutional level are proposed, using a common QRP as an example.
ACCOUNTABILITY IN RESEARCH-ETHICS INTEGRITY AND POLICY
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Johanna A. Damen, Pauline Heus, Herm J. Lamberink, Joeri K. Tijdink, Lex Bouter, Paul Glasziou, David Moher, Willem M. Otte, Christiaan H. Vinkers, Lotty Hooft
Summary: This study explores indicators of questionable research practices in randomized controlled trials, including bias risk, selective reporting bias, sample size, and statistical discrepancy. The findings suggest that more recent publication year, trial registration, mentioning of reporting standards, and higher journal impact factor are associated with a lower risk of questionable research practices.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Robert M. Kwee, Maan T. Almaghrabi, Thomas C. Kwee
Summary: This study aimed to gain insight into scientific integrity in cardiovascular imaging research by conducting a survey among corresponding authors. The results from the questionnaire completed by 160 corresponding authors revealed a high overall confidence in the integrity of published scientific work in cardiovascular imaging. However, issues such as scientific fraud, publication bias, and honorary authorship were reported.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sabrina Minetto, Mara Zanirato, Sofia Makieva, Daria Marzanati, Stefania Esposito, Valerio Pisaturo, Mauro Costa, Massimo Candiani, Enrico Papaleo, Alessandra Alteri
Summary: This systematic review aimed to assess the number and characteristics of retracted articles in the field of medically assisted reproduction (MAR). The study found that scientific misconduct, particularly plagiarism and duplicate publication, were the primary causes of retraction in MAR. Despite the low proportion of retracted citations, promoting scientific integrity is crucial as the consequences of article retractions have significant implications for patient care and the scientific community.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Medical Ethics
Rik Peels, Lex Bouter
Summary: This paper explores the relationships between replication and trustworthiness, including the relationships between different types of replication and trustworthiness, the relationship between replication intentionality and trustworthiness, and whether the trustworthiness of research findings depends on what is at stake. It concludes that replication should be considered along with other factors in assessing the trustworthiness of research findings.
ACCOUNTABILITY IN RESEARCH-ETHICS INTEGRITY AND POLICY
(2023)
Article
Medical Ethics
Tamarinde Haven, Lex Bouter, Louise Mennen, Joeri Tijdink
Summary: One way to strengthen research integrity is through supervision. The study developed a 3-day pilot training for PhD supervisors that combined responsible research practices (RRPs) and interpersonal skills. The results showed that both supervisors and PhD candidates had more positive perceptions of the supervisor's interpersonal skills and ability to foster RRPs after the training.
ACCOUNTABILITY IN RESEARCH-ETHICS INTEGRITY AND POLICY
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
A. N. Varga, A. E. Guevara Morel, J. M. van Dongen, J. Lokkerbol, M. Lindeboom, M. W. van Tulder, L. M. Bouter, J. E. Bosmans
Summary: This paper discusses the collaboration challenges faced by epidemiologists and economists in health intervention research due to differences in terminology, and illustrates these differences with examples. The study aims to improve the quality of multidisciplinary collaboration between the two fields and assist researchers in selecting the most suitable analytical techniques for their research problems.
HEALTH SERVICES AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Medical Ethics
Jeroen de Ridder, Lex Bouter, Tamarinde Haven, Rik Peels, Joeri Tijdink, Maurice P. Zeegers
Summary: We evaluate Radder's criticisms of the Netherlands Code of Conduct for Research Integrity and find that they fail to address the main issues or rely on controversial assumptions about the Code's purpose. While Radder raises important questions about the broader roles and purposes of research in society, his proposed revisions to the Code are unjustified.
ACCOUNTABILITY IN RESEARCH-ETHICS INTEGRITY AND POLICY
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Johanna A. Damen, Pauline Heus, Herm J. Lamberink, Joeri K. Tijdink, Lex Bouter, Paul Glasziou, David Moher, Willem M. Otte, Christiaan H. Vinkers, Lotty Hooft
Summary: This study explores indicators of questionable research practices in randomized controlled trials, including bias risk, selective reporting bias, sample size, and statistical discrepancy. The findings suggest that more recent publication year, trial registration, mentioning of reporting standards, and higher journal impact factor are associated with a lower risk of questionable research practices.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Environmental Studies
Rosie Hastings, Krishma Labib, Iris Lechner, Lex Bouter, Guy Widdershoven, Natalie Evans
Summary: This study aims to assess the differences between research integrity guidance provided by pan-European discipline-specific learned societies and the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity (ALLEA code), as well as the differences among the guidance from different discipline societies. The study found that the guidance provided by learned societies mainly focuses on research culture and environment, with notable differences among disciplines.
SCIENCE AND PUBLIC POLICY
(2023)
Article
Medical Ethics
Krishma Labib, Joeri Tijdink, Klaas Sijtsma, Lex Bouter, Natalie Evans, Guy Widdershoven
Summary: Research integrity is important, but rules alone may not be enough to improve research practice without commitment from researchers. This paper explores combining rules and commitment through market, bureaucratic, and network governance modes. The use of network processes can legitimize and regulate systems, but there needs to be a balance between the different governance modes for fostering research integrity.
ACCOUNTABILITY IN RESEARCH-ETHICS INTEGRITY AND POLICY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Medical Ethics
Lex Bouter
Summary: Research data mismanagement poses a serious threat to accountability, reproducibility, and data re-use. However, the categorization of RDMM into intentional misconduct and unintentional questionable practice is not accurate. It is challenging to prove intentionality, and other criteria should be considered when determining the severity of a breach of research integrity. Instead of focusing on intentionality and sanctions, efforts should be directed towards improving data management practices through preventive actions led by research institutions.
ACCOUNTABILITY IN RESEARCH-ETHICS INTEGRITY AND POLICY
(2023)
Article
Medical Ethics
Lex Bouter
Summary: Trust is crucial for scholars to collaborate and apply research findings. Open science practices strengthen research transparency and accountability, allowing for the verification of trustworthiness. However, questionable research practices and perverse incentives in the research system can pose challenges to maintaining research integrity.
ACCOUNTABILITY IN RESEARCH-ETHICS INTEGRITY AND POLICY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mario Malicki, IJsbrand Jan Aalbersberg, Lex Bouter, Adrian Mulligan, Gerben ter Riet
Summary: Calls have been made to improve transparency in research and work climates, and prevent detrimental research practices. A survey was conducted among authors, reviewers, and editors to assess their attitudes and practices in these areas. The results showed no significant differences in attitudes towards transparency and work climates among the different groups. Fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, and lack of citing prior research were perceived as more prevalent by editors than authors or reviewers. Overall, a considerable proportion of respondents admitted sacrificing quality for quantity and reported interference from funders in study design or reporting. While the respondents were from various countries, the low response rate limits the generalizability of the findings. Nevertheless, the results highlight the need for increased involvement of stakeholders to align practices with current recommendations.
Article
Ethics
Giulia Inguaggiato, Krishma Labib, Natalie Evans, Fenneke Blom, Lex Bouter, Guy Widdershoven
Summary: In this paper, the authors demonstrate the value of using Moral Case Deliberation, a case reflection method, in teaching responsible conduct of research (RCR) to PhD students. This method helps students become aware of and internalize RCR principles and values, reflect on their own conduct in daily practice, and develop dialogical skills for discussing RCR issues. By focusing on values and personal motivations, reflecting on real experiences and dilemmas, and cultivating participants' dialogical skills, this method supports students in acting responsibly and pursuing RCR in their research practice.
SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING ETHICS
(2023)
Article
Medical Ethics
I. M. Lechner, L. B. Mokkink, G. J. de Ridder, R. van Woudenberg, L. M. Bouter, J. K. Tijdink
Summary: This study used empirical methods to identify the epistemic responsibilities of universities, and found that universities should foster research integrity, stimulate the development of intellectual virtues, address the big questions of life, cultivate the diversity of disciplinary fields, serve and engage with society, and cultivate and safeguard academic freedom. These findings can inform the debate about the roles and responsibilities of universities and highlight the importance of epistemic tasks.
ACCOUNTABILITY IN RESEARCH-ETHICS INTEGRITY AND POLICY
(2023)
Article
Ethics
Krishma Labib, Natalie Evans, Daniel Pizzolato, Noemie Aubert Bonn, Guy Widdershoven, Lex Bouter, Teodora Konach, Miranda Langendam, Kris Dierickx, Joeri Tijdink
Summary: In order to promote research integrity, research institutions have developed guidelines for research integrity education. These guidelines focus on different target groups and recommend mandatory training, follow-up refresher training, informal discussions, rewards and incentives, and evaluation of educational events. The guidelines provide practical guidance for institutions to develop a successful research integrity education strategy and are available as publicly accessible tools.
SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING ETHICS
(2023)
Article
Ethics
Shaoxiong Brian Xu, Natalie Evans, Guangwei Hu, Lex Bouter
Summary: Academic journal publications may be retracted due to research misconduct, and retraction notices often lack information about institutional investigations. An analysis of 7,318 retraction notices published between 1927 and 2019 found that only a minority mentioned institutional investigations, with journal authorities being the most commonly mentioned. The introduction of retraction guidelines by COPE in 2009 increased the likelihood of reporting investigations by journal authorities. Retraction notices in social sciences and humanities were more likely to disclose investigations by research performing organizations compared to biomedical and natural sciences.
SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING ETHICS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tony Ross-Hellauer, Lex M. Bouter, Serge P. J. M. Horbach
Summary: Open Peer Review is gaining attention and use, but there is a need for additional evidence to responsibly promote it. In this article, we propose a preliminary research agenda and issue a call to action.