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Khot A, Chindhalore CA, Naikwadi A. Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices About Research Integrity and Scientific Misconduct Among the Faculty and Medical Postgraduates Working in Medical Colleges in North Karnataka and Central India: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey. Cureus 2024; 16:e59200. [PMID: 38807845 PMCID: PMC11131433 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Research integrity is an active adherence to the ethical principles and professional standards essential for the responsible practice of research. Research or scientific misconduct stands like child abuse today. The survey of National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded scientists calculated an absolute minimum of 2325 incidents of scientific misconduct per year. A report has also shown that Iran (6.60), India (5.68), Turkey (5.38), South Korea (3.59), and China (2.00) had higher ratios of publication misconduct to distrust data or interpretations than other countries. Hence, to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAPs) of the research integrity/scientific misconduct among the faculty and postgraduates working in the medical colleges in North Karnataka (NK) and Central India (CI), this study has been carried out. Methods It is a web-based, cross-sectional study carried out with the use of Google Forms (Google, Mountain View, California). A pretested, unstructured questionnaire consisting of 25 questions was posted in the way of a link to the faculty and postgraduates working in various disciplines within the colleges of NK and CI either by using an e-mail or other social platforms like WhatsApp. Institutional Ethics Committee approval was obtained in both regions before conducting the survey. Results A total of 146 participants responded to the e-questionnaire posted to them. Participants from CI displayed better awareness in several areas compared to NK. Citing articles and/ or materials that have not been read is the common questionable research practice (QRP) they have come across, as mentioned by participants in both groups. Discussion The study reveals a moderate level of knowledge and variable attitudes toward research integrity. The "publish or perish" culture is a major contributor to misconduct. Training and awareness programs are needed to enhance ethical research practices. Conclusion This study highlights the need for improved education and policy implementation to uphold research integrity in medical colleges, emphasizing the role of academic culture in shaping ethical research practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anant Khot
- Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagpur, IND
| | | | - Akram Naikwadi
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Bijapur Lingayat District Educational (BLDE) Shri B. M. Patil Hospital, Medical College and Research Center, Vijayapura, IND
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Liu X, Guo Y, Gao W, Xie Y, Zhao H, Du J. Current situation and influence factors of scientific integrity in China: A multicenter survey. Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs 2024; 11:100365. [PMID: 38304226 PMCID: PMC10831262 DOI: 10.1016/j.apjon.2023.100365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Cases of scientific misconduct have occurred frequently, especially in the field of medical research. We collected electronic questionnaires from 1257 medical staff in 43 cities and obtained a cross-sectional data set of their understanding of scientific integrity in research. This study aims to propose recommendations for establishing a mature oversight system for research integrity. Methods The study employed multiple regression analysis to explore the effect of different factors on the perception of four types of research integrity. Results Female participants had a higher understanding of project application integrity than men (P < 0.001). Participants in clinical departments had a lower understanding of project application integrity than those in nursing departments (clinical vs. nursing, P = 0.046). Participants with a junior college degree or below had a lower understanding than those who had a postgraduate degree and doctoral degree (junior college or below vs. postgraduate degree, P < 0.001; junior college or below vs. doctoral degree, P < 0.001). Conclusions We found that female, medical technology department, advanced education background, and advanced professional titles were significantly associated with a higher understanding of scientific integrity in research in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinqiao Liu
- School of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuxin Guo
- School of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Wenjuan Gao
- Institute of Higher Education, Beihang University, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Xie
- Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Office of Academic Research, National Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Beijing, China
| | - Heling Zhao
- Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Office of Academic Research, National Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Du
- Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Office of Academic Research, National Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Beijing, China
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Palla IA, Singson M. How do researchers perceive research misbehaviors? A case study of Indian researchers. Account Res 2023; 30:707-724. [PMID: 35584318 DOI: 10.1080/08989621.2022.2078712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Despite ample evidence of increasing research misconduct in India, little attention has been paid to understanding researchers' perception of research integrity and research misconduct among young Indian researchers. Interviews among 30 research scholars were conducted at Pondicherry University in India to understand their experience and perception of research misconduct. The top three influencing factors for scientific misconduct, according to the participants, were unavailability of adequate funds (35%), pressure from research supervisors (29%), and desperation to publish articles (25%). The participants had witnessed research misconduct in different forms i.e., data fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism. However, plagiarism was the most often cited cause of misbehavior in our interviews. Majority of participants have witnessed or personally encountered multiple instances where authorship conflicts occurred. The other questionable research practices highlighted in the study were improper citations, authorship disputes like gift and ghost authorships, misrepresentation of statistical data, failure to publish negative results. In an increasingly diverse and changing research environment, our research calls for practical research guidelines based on honesty, openness, and accountability that can help articulate and strengthen scientists' core values. More importantly, scientific misconduct can only be prevented by using a multifaceted strategy that includes identifying instances of scientific misconduct and implementing suitable deterrents and treatments that could change the behavior associated with such misconduct.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ishfaq Ahmad Palla
- Department of Library and Information Science, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India
| | - Mangkhollen Singson
- Department of Library and Information Science, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India
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He C, Xu J, Zhou L. Understanding China's construction of an academic integrity system: A grounded theory study on national level policies. LEARNED PUBLISHING 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/leap.1540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Chen He
- School of Information Management Wuhan University Wuhan China
| | - Jie Xu
- School of Information Management Wuhan University Wuhan China
| | - Lihong Zhou
- School of Information Management Wuhan University Wuhan China
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Productivity patterns, collaboration and scientific careers of authors with retracted publications in clinical medicine. Scientometrics 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11192-021-04252-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the publishing of a quantity of scientific research. In less than a year, a record of 200,000 scientific articles have been published on COVID-19. Publishing such a massive quantity of scientific research has instigated publishers to accelerate the review process. An upsurge in the publication rate has resulted in an increase in the retraction rate. This paper focuses on the COVID-19 studies originating across the world from 1 January 2020 to 10 October 2021. The data for this study were mined from http://retractiondatabase.org/. A total of 157 withdrawn articles on COVID-19 were retracted, and it was found that the United States of America contributed 31 (19.75%) retracted articles. Also, 16 (51.61%) of the retracted papers from the United States of America emerge in journals having an Impact Factor (IF). The study presents that 31 (19.75%) retracted articles were worked together by two authors, 26 (16.56%) with one author, and 22 (14.01%) by five authors. Furthermore, Elsevier publishers have the highest retraction rate with 80 (50.96%). Half (50%) of the articles were retracted with "no information" as a reason for retraction. Other reasons for retraction include concern/issues about data, duplication, journal error, lack of approval from a third party, plagiarism, etc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somipam R Shimray
- Department of Library and Information Science, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, India
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Palla IA, Singson M, Thiyagarajan S. A comparative analysis of retracted papers in Health Sciences from China and India. Account Res 2020; 27:401-416. [PMID: 32279538 DOI: 10.1080/08989621.2020.1754804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Academics are expected to publish their research work. Hence, during the past few years, the scientific community has witnessed an ever-increasing growth and output in scientific papers. However, a large number of authors have violated ethical norms of research leading to retractions of their research works as well. The article focuses on the scientific fraud emanating from China and India in Health Sciences for a period of three years i.e. 2015 to 2018. The present data were extracted from http://retractiondatabase.org/using a search filter term "Research Articles OR Articles in Press" on the subject category of Health Sciences (HSC). A total of 318 retracted papers were retrieved and the result of the study indicated that majority (268 items) of the retracted papers in Health Science originated from China, whereas just 50 retracted papers originated from India as on 21-02-2019. While analyzing the data, 26 redundant articles from China have been removed that received retraction notices. Further, the results of the study suggest that there are several factors associated with retraction of scientific papers, which include unreliable results, duplication of results, plagiarism, forged authorship, error in the text, error in data and so on.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ishfaq Ahmad Palla
- Department of Library and Infromation Science, Pondicherry University , Puducherry, India
| | - Mangkhollen Singson
- Department of Library and Infromation Science, Pondicherry University , Puducherry, India
| | - S Thiyagarajan
- Department of International Business Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India
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Yi N, Nemery B, Dierickx K. Perceptions of research integrity and the Chinese situation: In-depth interviews with Chinese biomedical researchers in Europe. Account Res 2019; 26:405-426. [DOI: 10.1080/08989621.2019.1652096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nannan Yi
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Medical Humanities, Southeast University, China
| | - Benoit Nemery
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kris Dierickx
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Yi N, Nemery B, Dierickx K. Integrity in Biomedical Research: A Systematic Review of Studies in China. SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING ETHICS 2019; 25:1271-1301. [PMID: 29721845 DOI: 10.1007/s11948-018-0057-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/01/2018] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Recent empirical evidence has demonstrated that research misconduct occurs to a substantial degree in biomedical research. It has been suggested that scientific integrity is also of concern in China, but this seems to be based largely on anecdotal evidence. We, therefore, sought to explore the Chinese situation, by making a systematic review of published empirical studies on biomedical research integrity in China. One of our purposes was also to summarize the existing body of research published in Chinese. We searched the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, PubMed and Web of Science for potentially relevant studies, and included studies meeting our inclusion criteria, i.e. mainly those presenting empirically obtained data about the practice of research in China. All the data was extracted and synthesized using an inductive approach. Twenty-one studies were included for review. Two studies used qualitative methods (interviews) and nineteen studies used quantitative methods (questionnaires). Studies involved mainly medical postgraduates and nurses and they investigated awareness, attitudes, perceptions and experiences of research integrity and misconduct. Most of the participants in these 21 studies reported that research integrity is of great importance and that they obey academic norms during their research. Nevertheless, the occurrence of research misbehaviors, such as fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, improper authorship and duplicate submission was also reported. Strengthening research integrity training, developing the governance system and improving the scientific evaluation system were areas of particular attention in several studies. Our review demonstrates that a substantial number of articles have been devoted to research integrity in China, but only a few studies provide empirical evidence. With more safeguard measures of research integrity being taken in China, it would be crucial to conduct more research to explore researchers' in-depth perceptions and evaluate the changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nannan Yi
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35, Blok D, Box 7001, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Benoit Nemery
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, O&N 1, Herestraat 49, Box 706, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kris Dierickx
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35, Blok D, Box 7001, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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Bhat A, Shah A, Sherighar SG. Instructions to Prospective Authors by Indian Biomedical Journals: An Opportunity to Promote Responsible Conduct of Research. J Empir Res Hum Res Ethics 2017; 12:117-123. [DOI: 10.1177/1556264617698277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Journals provide instructions to prospective authors to facilitate the process of manuscript publication. The information provided under such instructions could be a potential opportunity to promote responsible conduct of research (RCR). We analyzed 74 Indian biomedical journals for the type of information provided in the “instructions to authors” section and adherence to the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) recommendations. Among the 71 journals that had an “instructions to authors” section, 53 journals adhered to ICMJE recommendations. We discuss sections of the ICMJE recommendations detailed by Indian biomedical journals under the “instructions to authors” section and emphasize components that require greater exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anup Bhat
- Department of Physiotherapy, School of Allied Health University, Manipal University, Karnataka, India
| | - Akash Shah
- Department of Physiotherapy, School of Allied Health University, Manipal University, Karnataka, India
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12
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Prakash BM, Subodh K, Vivek M. A third reich approach by the Medical Council of India. J Postgrad Med 2016; 62:209. [PMID: 27424554 PMCID: PMC4970352 DOI: 10.4103/0022-3859.186393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- B M Prakash
- Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
| | - K Subodh
- Department of Trauma and Emergency (Pulmonary Medicine), All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
| | - M Vivek
- Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
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