‘In the course of their occupation’: Observations on research misconduct

• In Event: Tax fraud and occupational crime

Abstract

Employing a broad interpretation this study adopts Sutherland’s understanding of white-collar crime to examine various aspects of research misconduct. Often described as a phenomenon increasing at alarming rates, research misconduct, its extent, typologies, aitiology, and impact as well as ways to estimate and address its implications have progressively attracted the attention of research and funding institutions, scholars, scientific journals, and the overall scientific community. Moreover, high-profile cases of research misconduct have attracted the attention of the public. On the other hand, arguments to combat the phenomenon range from self-regulation of science and scientists to the criminalization of serious violations of research integrity.
This study reports findings from survey research, interviews, and focus group discussions with senior and junior researchers as well as content analysis of scientific publications and explores several dimensions of the phenomenon of research misconduct such as definitions, typologies, extent, reasons and justifications for engaging in research misconduct and reactions to observed occurrences. The study further looks at ways that have been implemented to address the phenomenon and ventures into understanding the harm that research misconduct causes individuals, institutions, and science.

Authors

• Vasiliki Petousi, University of Crete, Greece

• Abryana Kevelier-Wiliams, Drexel University, USA