Studies under scrutiny 

A crucial question that remains unanswered is how common is scientific misconduct?  

The numbers are controversial. In a study conducted by Dr. Daniele Fanelli of the University of Edinburgh, Fanelli focused on behaviors that distort scientific knowledge (excluding data on plagiarism and other kinds of malpractice). The doctor looked at how often scientists admitted unethical conduct when it came to reporting results. On average, about 2 percent of scientists admitted at least once they had made up, falsified or altered data to improve the outcome of a study.  

About 34 percent of the scientists admitted to other questionable practices, including failing to present data that contradict one's own previous research and dropping observations or data points from analyses based on a gut feeling that they were inaccurate. 

In surveys that asked about the behavior of colleagues, 14 percent of scientists knew someone who had made up or changed data and about 72 percent knew someone who had committed other questionable research practices.  In both surveys, medical and pharmacological researchers reported misconduct most frequently.  

Fanelli notes that in surveys that ask sensitive questions, it is likely that some participants do not respond honestly, especially when sharing their own misconduct. 

A dispute over misconduct and disclosure prompted one of the country's most prestigious medical journals to change its procedures.  The controversy revolved around a 2006 study in the New England Journal of Medicine that said the widespread use of CT scans could prevent 80 percent of lung cancer deaths. 

However, critics said the journal and its publisher, the Massachusetts Medical Society, didn't disclose "relevant financial conflicts of interests of the authors."  The study failed to report that the doctor's works had been underwritten in part by a $3.6 million grant from the parent company of a cigarette maker. 

The journal now asks authors to disclose all patents or royalties related to their research and publishes the information with the studies. 

One of the difficulties to addressing the issue of scientific misconduct at an international level stems from a wide variety of definitions and procedures.  For example, the U.S. Office of Research Integrity has said it's "fabrication, falsification, plagiarism in proposing, performing, reviewing research or reporting research results." The Committee on Publication Ethics defines it as "behavior by a researcher, intentional or not, that falls short of good ethical and scientific standards."  

For more information, contact:

Public Citizen at http://www.citizen.org

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