Scientific misconduct: new definition, procedures, and office - perhaps a new leaf
Article Abstract:
Misconduct by scientists in biomedical research affects the practice of medicine. Scientific misconduct damages the reputation of the medical profession and decreases the morale of other researchers. One major case of scientific misconduct was revealed in 1974, and several other cases were exposed thereafter. Scientists have had a harder time accepting these revelations of scientific misconduct than other individuals. Scientific investigation is based on the concept of trust. A set of federal regulations established a tentative definition of scientific misconduct in 1989. The scientific community failed to implement these guidelines, so tougher regulations and enforcement procedures were put in place. Parts of the federal definition are acceptable, but others are more open to debate. One phrase forbids the use of 'deviant practices.' This phase could seriously limit the type of risk-taking essential to scientific investigations. Another problem may be confusing scientific error with scientific misconduct.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1993
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Defining scientific misconduct: the relevance of mental state
Article Abstract:
The definition of scientific misconduct is controversial. Government agencies, universities and scientists focused more in the 1980s and 1990s on the detection, punishment and prevention of scientific fraud. Part of the problem with these endeavors is an unclear definition of scientific misconduct. Another area of dispute is the proper type of punishment for different types of misconduct. These issues may be resolved by looking to the definitions used in criminal law. A narrower definition of scientific misconduct than the federal government's is needed to distinguish legitimate but unorthodox research practices from dishonest ones. Another issue is whether researchers actually intended to deceive the public and/or their peers, and whether they acted knowingly. Some research discrepancies may be caused by honest mistakes rather than an intent to deceive. More effort also is needed to develop a better system for detecting and monitoring scientific misconduct.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1993
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Mentally disabled research subjects: the enduring policy issues
Article Abstract:
Medical researchers and their institutional review boards need to develop policies governing the enrollment of mentally disabled people in research studies. Excluding these people from studies would seriously hamper the development of effective treatments for mental illness, developmental disabilities and dementia. However, many mentally disabled patients would not be competent to give informed consent. In these cases, a family member or other assigned decision maker should be involved.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1996
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Parental alcohol use, problem drinking, and children's injuries. Declining blood lead levels and cognitive changes in moderately lead-poisoned children
- Abstracts: Alcohol misconceptions. What is meant by woman-centred care?: woman-centred care is a fashionable phrase. Teaching what comes naturally
- Abstracts: Updated UKCC code of conduct meets a mixed reception. Moores' code. The big issue: One in five of us is now obese. This not only affects individual health, but increases costs to the NHS
- Abstracts: Adult immunizations. Transmission of Tuberculosis in a Jail. Hepatitis B immunization strategies: expanding the target
- Abstracts: Answer sought for 'tobacco giant' China's problem. Experts try education to preserve skiers' knees