Falsification of Data – also known as fudging or
massaging the data in order to achieve a required outcome that differs from the actual results
. Fabrication – when the experiments, the data, or the entire research study (known as “drylabbing”) are made up.
Why do researchers use falsification?
Falsification in Social Science Method and Theory
Falsification
aims to overcome these problems with induction
. According to falsification, the hallmark of scientific methodology is not that it uses observation or empirical evidence to verify or confirm its hypotheses.
Why do we falsify data?
This includes manipulating images (e.g. micrographs, gels, radiological images), removing outliers or “inconvenient” results, changing, adding or omitting data points, etc. With regard to image manipulation it is allowed to technically
improve images for readability
.
What happens when scientists falsify data?
In many scientific fields, results are often difficult to reproduce accurately, being obscured by noise, artifacts, and other extraneous data. That means that even if a scientist does falsify data, they can expect to get away with it – or at least claim
innocence
if their results conflict with others in the same field.
Why do researchers commit research misconduct?
A range of possible reasons were posited: (1)
career and funding pressures
, (2) institutional failures of oversight, (3) commercial conflicts of interest, (4) inadequate training, (5) erosion of standards of mentoring, and (6) part of a larger pattern of social deviance.
How can we prevent data falsification?
- Be a stickler for accuracy. Develop and maintain guidelines and high standards for accuracy in the facts you report.
- Take responsibility for every fact. …
- Stick to the facts. …
- Be aware of the legal risks.
What are the 3 types of research misconduct?
In accordance with U.S. federal policy, there are three forms of research misconduct:
plagiarism, fabrication, and falsification
.
Why is data fabrication bad?
Data fabrication, incorrect collection strategies and poor data management, are
considered detrimental to high-quality scientific research
. … We argue that such accounts contain limitations in overlooking data collected in ‘the field’, in low-income countries, by junior researchers and non-scientists.
Why is fabrication wrong?
In scientific inquiry and academic research, data fabrication is
the intentional misrepresentation of research results
. As with other forms of scientific misconduct, it is the intent to deceive that marks fabrication as unethical, and thus different from scientists deceiving themselves.
What is deliberate falsification?
Falsification is
the act of deliberately lying about or misrepresenting something
. If you write a note to your teacher excusing your absence the day before and claim it was written by your dad, that’s falsification.
What is research misconduct and how it can be avoided?
The best way to prevent research misconduct is
to become aware of best practices in the Responsible Conduct of Research
. Consultation with senior research colleagues, as well as School and campus leaders, are invaluable resources. In addition, there is a variety of training and educational materials available online.
What is the most common form of research misconduct?
Plagiarism
is, perhaps, the most common form of research misconduct. Researchers must be aware to cite all sources and take careful notes. Using or representing the work of others as your own work constitutes plagiarism, even if committed unintentionally.
What are the 2 areas of scientific dishonesty?
Scientific dishonesty thus implies a serious breach of good scientific practice which was committed intentionally or grossly negligently. The three main examples of scientific dishonesty in this definition –
falsification, fabrication and plagiarism
– are also used internationally and are often referred to as ”FFP”.
What qualifies as research misconduct?
Research misconduct occurs when a researcher fabricates or falsifies data, or plagiarizes information or ideas within a research report. The misconduct
must be committed intentionally
, and the allegation must be proven by sufficient evidence.
Can researchers be sued?
Although there are several legal theories under which a researcher could be sued for failure to disclose significant findings (Tovino 2008; Bush and Rothenberg 2012), the most probable cause of action is
ordinary negligence
.
What happens if research is unethical?
If you are found to have breached ethical standards, your
research may be deemed void and subsequently retracted
. … Also, consider that any action or omission that could make your research be considered unethical is also likely to affect the reliability or validity of the data or even both.
