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Nishimura R, Takeuchi J, Sakuma M, Uchida K, Higaonna M, Kinjo N, Sakakibara F, Nakamura T, Kosaka S, Yoshimura S, Ueda S, Morimoto T. Experience and awareness of research integrity among Japanese physicians: a nationwide cross-sectional study. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e052351. [PMID: 34675019 PMCID: PMC8506862 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-052351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore the awareness and practice of clinical research integrity among Japanese physicians. DESIGN A nationwide cross-sectional study conducted in March 2020. SETTING All hospitals in Japan. PARTICIPANTS Physicians aged <65 years who work at hospitals participated in clinical research over the past 5 years. The sample was stratified according to geographical location and subspecialty, and 1100 physicians were proportionally selected. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Knowledge and awareness of research integrity. RESULTS Among the 1100 participants, 587 (53%) had the experience of being the first author, 299 (27%) had been co-authors only and 214 (19%) had no authorship. A total of 1021 (93%) had experienced learning research integrity, and 555 (54%) became aware of research integrity. The experience of learning about research integrity was highest among those with first authorship (95%) and lowest among those without authorship (89%) (p=0.003). The majority of participants learnt about research integrity for passive reasons such as it being 'required by the institution' (57%) or it being 'required to obtain approval of institutional review board (IRB)' (30%). Potentially inappropriate research behaviours were observed in participants, with 11% indulging in copying and pasting for writing the paper, 11% for gifted authorship and 5.8% for the omission of IRB approval. Factors significantly associated with copying and pasting were being below 40 years old (OR: 1.84; 95% CI: 1.05 to 3.26), being the first presenter (OR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.05 to 2.57) or having passive reasons for learning research integrity (OR: 2.96; 95% CI: 1.57 to 5.59). Furthermore, gifted authorship was significantly associated with being a co-author only (OR: 1.84; 95% CI: 1.18 to 2.87) and having passive reasons for learning about research integrity (OR: 1.79; 95% CI: 1.03 to 3.12). CONCLUSIONS Most physicians conducting clinical research have learnt about research integrity, but potentially inappropriate research behaviours are associated with passive reasons for learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rie Nishimura
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan
| | - Jiro Takeuchi
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan
| | - Mio Sakuma
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan
| | - Kazutaka Uchida
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hyogo college of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan
| | - Miki Higaonna
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Japan
| | - Norito Kinjo
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hyogo college of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan
| | - Fumihiro Sakakibara
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hyogo college of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan
| | - Tsukasa Nakamura
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shimane Prefectural Central Hospital, Izumo, Japan
| | | | - Shinichi Yoshimura
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hyogo college of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Ueda
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Japan
| | - Takeshi Morimoto
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan
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Labib K, Roje R, Bouter L, Widdershoven G, Evans N, Marušić A, Mokkink L, Tijdink J. Important Topics for Fostering Research Integrity by Research Performing and Research Funding Organizations: A Delphi Consensus Study. Sci Eng Ethics 2021; 27:47. [PMID: 34244889 PMCID: PMC8270794 DOI: 10.1007/s11948-021-00322-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
To foster research integrity (RI), it is necessary to address the institutional and system-of-science factors that influence researchers' behavior. Consequently, research performing and research funding organizations (RPOs and RFOs) could develop comprehensive RI policies outlining the concrete steps they will take to foster RI. So far, there is no consensus on which topics are important to address in RI policies. Therefore, we conducted a three round Delphi survey study to explore which RI topics to address in institutional RI policies by seeking consensus from research policy experts and institutional leaders. A total of 68 RPO and 52 RFO experts, representing different disciplines, countries and genders, completed one, two or all rounds of the study. There was consensus among the experts on the importance of 12 RI topics for RPOs and 11 for RFOs. The topics that ranked highest for RPOs concerned education and training, supervision and mentoring, dealing with RI breaches, and supporting a responsible research process (e.g. through quality assurance). The highest ranked RFO topics concerned dealing with breaches of RI, conflicts of interest, and setting expectations on RPOs (e.g. about educating researchers about RI). Together with the research policy experts and institutional leaders, we developed a comprehensive overview of topics important for inclusion in the RI policies of RPOs and RFOs. The topics reflect preference for a preventative approach to RI, coupled with procedures for dealing with RI breaches. RPOs and RFOs should address each of these topics in order to support researchers in conducting responsible research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishma Labib
- Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Institute, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Rea Roje
- School of Medicine, University of Split, Šoltanska ul. 2, 21000, Split, Croatia
| | - Lex Bouter
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Institute, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Philosophy, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Guy Widdershoven
- Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Institute, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Natalie Evans
- Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Institute, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ana Marušić
- School of Medicine, University of Split, Šoltanska ul. 2, 21000, Split, Croatia
| | - Lidwine Mokkink
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Institute, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joeri Tijdink
- Department of Ethics, Law and Humanities, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Institute, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Philosophy, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Abstract
Dishonest academic conduct has aroused extensive attention in academic circles. To explore how scholars make decisions according to the principle of maximal utility, the author has constructed the general utility function based on the expected utility theory. The concrete utility functions of different types of scholars were deduced. They are as follows: risk neutral, risk averse, and risk preference. Following this, the assignment method was adopted to analyze and compare the scholars' utilities of academic conduct. It was concluded that changing the values of risk costs, internal condemnation costs, academic benefits, and the subjective estimation of penalties following dishonest academic conduct can lead to changes in the utility of academic dishonesty. The results of the current study suggest that within scientific research, measures to prevent and govern dishonest academic conduct should be formulated according to the various effects of the above four variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Sun
- a School of Education , Tianjin University , Tianjin , China
| | - Rui Tian
- a School of Education , Tianjin University , Tianjin , China
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Cardao-Pito T. Assisting the High Administrative Court in Restricting Too Broad a Concept of Academic Judgment. Account Res 2015; 23:53-62. [PMID: 26192821 DOI: 10.1080/08989621.2015.1004664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
I have received substantial monetary compensation and a formal apology from my first doctoral school, and a Ph.D. from another university. This essay describes my personal view on discussing the boundaries of academic judgment and research supervision with the ombudsman agency for higher education, and at the High Administrative Court of England and Wales. The Court's judicial doctrine addresses substantial research accountability matters. It clarifies that although the Court and ombudsman agency must not interfere with academic judgment, not everything done by an academic can be considered as academic judgment. A Ph.D. supervisor can seriously fail to perform his/her duties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Cardao-Pito
- a ISEG , University of Lisbon , Lisboa , Portugal.,b University of Strathclyde , Glasgow , Scotland , UK
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Tharyan P. Criminals in the Citadel and Deceit all along the Watchtower: Irresponsibility, Fraud, and Complicity in the Search for Scientific Truth. Mens Sana Monogr 2012; 10:158-80. [PMID: 22654391 PMCID: PMC3353596 DOI: 10.4103/0973-1229.91426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2011] [Revised: 12/28/2011] [Accepted: 12/29/2011] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Scientific research aims to use reliable methods to produce generalizable new knowledge in order to understand the human condition and maximize human potential. The sanctity accorded to scientific research has been violated by numerous instances of research fraud, as well as deceptive and conflicted research that have seriously harmed people, subverted the evidence-base, wasted valuable resources, and undermined public trust. This deception by individuals has been fostered by the unrealistic expectations of society; facilitated by the complicity of institutions and organisations; and sanctioned by the inaction of supposed gate-keepers. Re-defining misconduct as occurring on a continuum from irresponsible to fraudulent is the first step in confronting this inconvenient truth. Implementing and evaluating multiple strategies targeting systems and individuals that promote the responsible conduct of research, rather than merely exposing serious instances of misconduct by individuals, is urgently required to restore faith in the aspirations, integrity, and results of scientific research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prathap Tharyan
- Professor of Psychiatry & Director, South Asian Cochrane Centre, Prof. BV Moses & ICMR Centre for Evidence-Informed Healthcare.,Christian Medical College, Vellore -632002, Tamil Nadu, India
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