Archive by category | World Conference on Research Integrity

Integrity: the dark-side of mentoring

The final morning of the research integrity meeting began with a question that should probably have come earlier in the meeting: what do we know for certain about bad research behaviour? Is misconduct actually on the rise? Sure, there are more scientists than ever, and competition between them is rising, factors that you think would contribute to more misconduct. There are also worrying signs from the young that internet ´research´ at school and university is becoming a substitute for real academic work. But does that mean this is a problem that is only going to get worse? And what can the science community do about it?  Read more

Integrity: conference bingo

There are a bewildering number of acronyms, and their representatives, at the research integrity meeting in Lisbon. Many I had never heard of. So during a more pedestrian session I started playing conference bingo: could I construct the words ‘research integrity’ from the organisations in attendance?  Read more

Integrity: codes, clubs and copying

There are some clear divisions emerging in the discussions this week. One question that gets people fired up is the issue of whether science should be a profession – similar to medicine or law – with a professional code of conduct, an accreditation body and most importantly the ability to kick misbehaving scientists out of the club.  Read more