Dealing with misconduct in biomedical research: a review of the problems and the proposed methods for improvement.
The increasing complexity of scientific research has been followed by increasing varieties of research misconduct. Dealing with misconduct involves the processes of detection, reporting, and investigation of misconduct. Each of these steps is associated with numerous problems which need to be addressed. Misconduct investigation should not stop with inquiries and disciplinary actions in specific episodes of misconduct. It is necessary to decrease the personal price paid by those who expose misconduct and to protect the personal and professional interests of honest researchers accused of misconduct unfairly or mistakenly. There is no dearth of suggestions to improve the objectivity and fairness of investigations. What is needed is the willingness to test the various options and implement the most suitable ones.
Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon, HOSMAT Hospital, Bangalore, India. docmnkumar@gmail.com
Malhar N
MN
Kumar
D006801:Humans; D017712:Peer Review, Research / Q000592:standards*; D012109:Research Support as Topic; D015871:Scientific Misconduct; D014342:Truth Disclosure; D035642:Whistleblowing