Research Misconduct and Violations
Research Misconduct and Violations
Introduction
Research integrity is fundamental to credible science. Research misconduct is
widely defined as intentional Fabrication, Falsification, or Plagiarism (FFP) in
proposing, performing, or reporting research. Under U.S. federal policy, this
definition explicitly excludes honest error or differences of opinion. Fabrication is
“making up data or results and recording or reporting them”, while falsification
involves “manipulating research materials, equipment, or processes, or changing or
omitting data” so that the record is inaccurate. Plagiarism is “the appropriation of
another person’s ideas, processes, results, or words without giving appropriate
credit”. These three “cardinal sins” compromise the scientific record.
Consequences of Misconduct
Consequences include retraction of papers, institutional sanctions, funding bans,
and legal actions. Misconduct harms the credibility of science and can have real-
world health and safety impacts.
Conclusion
Research misconduct encompasses FFP and a broader spectrum of ethical
violations. Upholding research ethics is vital to maintain the reliability of the
scientific record and public trust in science.