Responsible Research Conduct : What Investigations into Alleged Research Misconduct Tell Us About Scientific Integrity

This book addresses irresponsible practices by researchers, institutions and publishers. Blending root-cause level analysis and learning lessons for research practice, Responsible Research Conduct will be invaluable for master and doctoral students, researchers, and any individual involved in the lifecycle of research.

Over 30,000 research articles have been retracted from peer-reviewed journals in recent years,exposing a troubling crisis in research integrity. Beneath this visible tip of the iceberg lies avast, hidden burden of flawed research, with many cases of misconduct remaining undisclosedor inadequately addressed, while leading institutions have faced allegations of researchmisconduct, shaking public trust in science. Confronting the growing disillusionment with unethical practices in research and in thepublication of research findings, this book critically examines publicly available reports frominstitutions, journals, regulators, courts, and platforms like PubPeer and academic blogs,shedding light on systemic failures and the lack of transparency in addressing misconduct. By consolidating lessons from these cases, it offers practical strategies to prevent fraud,improve research practices, and restore trust in the scientific process. Key Features:Offers a comprehensive analysis of research misconduct investigation reports, highlighting systemic issues and root causes. Provides actionable lessons for individuals and organizations to improve research practices and uphold integrity. Recommends targeted strategies for preventing misconduct and correcting the scientific record post-incident. Essential for researchers, clinicians, journal editors, academic publishers, funders, and anyoneinvolved in health research, this book provides a roadmap for fostering accountabilityand integrity in science. Through objective analysis and actionable recommendations, it inspiresa more optimistic outlook for the future of research.