B - How Many Scientists Fabricate and Falsify Research?

Fanelli D. How Many Scientists Fabricate and Falsify Research? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Survey Data. PLoS ONE. 2009,4(5): e5738

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0005738


The frequency with which scientists fabricate and falsify data, or commit other forms of scientific misconduct is a matter of controversy. Many surveys have asked scientists directly whether they have committed or know of a colleague who committed research misconduct, but their results appeared difficult to compare and synthesize. This is the first meta-analysis of these surveys. Considering that these surveys ask sensitive questions and have other limitations, it appears likely that this is a conservative estimate of the true prevalence of scientific misconduct.

http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0005738

Comments

Unknown said…
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Unknown said…
As a layman, I'm not qualified to evaluate the scientific validity of the meta-analysis. Any instance of fraud in scientific research strikes me as an especially pernicious manifestation of the reckless self-interest that seems to rule our world. I read an interesting comment on the meta-analysis by author Michael Laitman, who has a scientific background but a perspective on science and reality that is unique in my experience. His comment is at http://www.laitman.com/2009/06/science-ruled-by-egoism-becomes-an-evil-instrument/