Please make sure you have reviewed the information and additional resources in the scientific integrity notes (see attach file)  before beginning this assignment.  Helpful links are provided to help guide your investigation.

Unfortunately, many examples of research misconduct exist.  Some well-known examples include the false reporting of the link between vaccines and autism in children and the false claims of the supposed “wonder” company, Theranos.

Find an actual example of research misconduct (you may use one of the examples given above) and discuss the following:

1. Briefly explain what happened in the reported incident/example and why it was considered research misconduct.  What were the consequences of this misconduct? Why is scientific integrity so important?
2. What are some ways to prevent research misconduct and ensure the public is receiving accurate information?
3. How, as a consumer of information, can you ensure the information you are receiving is accurate and factual?

Please make sure you have reviewed the information and additional resources in the scientific Integrity notes before beginning this assignment.

Helpful links are provided to help guide your investigation.

Unfortunately, many examples of research misconduct exist.  Some well-known examples include the false reporting of the link between vaccines and autism in children and the false claims of the supposed “wonder” company, Theranos.

Find an actual example of research misconduct (you may use one of the examples given above) and discuss the following:

1. Briefly explain what happened in the reported incident/example and why it was considered research misconduct.  What were the consequences of this misconduct? Why is scientific integrity so important?

2. What are some ways to prevent research misconduct and ensure the public is receiving accurate information?

3. How, as a consumer of information, can you ensure the information you are receiving is accurate and factual?

Enter your responses in the text box provided.  Your response should be approximately 200-250 words. Support your discussion with data and evidence from class as well as any outside resources.  Cite your sources as necessary.  Turnitin will be used to monitor plagiarism/duplication, as well as analysis by the course instructor. Any work found to contain duplicate or plagiarized content may result in academic misconduct proceedings.

Scientific Integrity notes

Introduction: In today’s age of lightning-quick information, anyone can say anything, and someone will believe it.  So how do we as scientists ensure we publish only accurate and genuine information and how do we as students and consumers of that information, ensure that information is factual?

Scientific integrity is a core principle that should guide all research and investigation. Steps need to be taken at all steps of scientific investigation, from the initial proposal of a research topic all the way through its publication of data and results, to ensure its accuracy and repeatability.  Good scientists take care to properly document all research and carefully analyze all data to ensure the reported information accurately represents the data collected.  Many times, this data is also made available to be shared with others in the field to allow confirmation of results. 

Scientific integrity can also refer to the ability of scientists to publish their findings without fear of repercussion or retaliation.  In the United States, this means that government agencies have a responsibility to allow scientists to work free from bias as well as make scientific data available to the public.

As consumers of data, it is our responsibility to check facts and data to ensure we have a clear understanding of what information we are receiving.  The majority of scientific data and research findings are published in journals and news outlets that are collectively agreed upon to be trustworthy, but the consumer also has a responsibility to examine the source and information to verify its accuracy.  

Unfortunately, there are times when scientific integrity is not considered. Research misconduct includes any misrepresentation of data in research and/or the publication of data.  It can be classified into three main categories.

1. Fabrication

2. Falsification

3. Plagiarism

Many examples of research misconduct exist.  Some well-known examples include the false reporting of the link between 

vaccines and autism (Links to an external site.)

 in children and the false claims of the supposed “wonder” company, 
Theranos (Links to an external site.).  False reports can have many consequences, including endangering public health.

Additional Resources:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/theranos-voids-two-years-of-edison-blood-test-results-1463616976?mod=article_inline

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-00291-2

Helpful Websites:

NIH Research Misconduct Definitions (Links to an external site.)

EPA Basic Information on Scientific Integrity (Links to an external site.)

Office of Integrity Research (Recent Research Misconduct Cases) (Links to an external site.)

National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Misconduct Case Reports (Links to an external site.)

Required Assignments: Once you feel confident in the material, complete assignment.