About this resource

    Type of resources
    Primary Source, Reading, Paper
    Education level(s)
    College / Upper Division (Undergraduates)
    Primary user(s)
    Student
    Subject area(s)
    Applied Science, Life Science, Social Science
    Language(s)
    English
    Cluster
    Research Integrity, Ways of Working
    Last updated
    26 May 2020
    Primary SourceReadingPaper

    Publication pressure and scientific misconduct in medical scientists

    By Joeri K. Tijdink, Reinout Verbeke, Yvo M. Smulders

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    Level College / Upper Division (Undergraduates) · For Student · Language English

    Abstract

    There is increasing evidence that scientific misconduct is more common than previously thought. Strong emphasis on scientific productivity may increase the sense of publication pressure. We administered a nationwide survey to Flemish biomedical scientists on whether they had engaged in scientific misconduct and whether they had experienced publication pressure. A total of 315 scientists participated in the survey; 15% of the respondents admitted they had fabricated, falsified, plagiarized, or manipulated data in the past 3 years. Fraud was more common among younger scientists working in a university hospital. Furthermore, 72% rated publication pressure as “too high.” Publication pressure was strongly and significantly associated with a composite scientific misconduct severity score.

    Keywords Reproducibility Crisis and Credibility Revolution