“Scientific Misconduct: Falsification,
Fabrication and Plagiarism”
Paschal KUM AWAH
Ph.D Medical Anthropologist
Fellow of Biomedical Ethics
University of Yaounde I
Definition of Research
Misconduct
Research misconduct means fabrication,
falsification, or plagiarism in proposing,
performing, or reviewing research, or in
reporting research results
Research misconduct does not include
honest error or differences of opinion
Falsification, fabrication and plagiarism are
the unholy trinity of scientific writing
Evidence of scientific misconduct
from Peer-Reviewed Literature
• 57 published trials ID’d for which United
States Federal Drug Administration
(FDA) inspection found significant
evidence of misconduct, including 22
trials with falsification
• In 78 publications of these trials, findings
were rarely reflected in peer-reviewed
literature
Falsification
• Manipulating research materials,
equipment or processes or
changing or omitting data or results
such that the research is not
accurately represented in the
research record
Falsification Example
• ORI (Office of Research Integrity)
ruled in 2015 that graduate student
supported by NIH grants engaged in
misconduct
• Knowingly removed outlier values or
replaced outliers with mean values
to produce results conforming to
predictions
ORI Settlement
• For 3 years may not participate in PHS-
supported research until supervision plan is
approved by US Office of Research Integrity
(ORI)
• Institution must certify to ORI that all data are
accurate and legitimate
• May not serve in any advisory capacity to PHS
• Must advise publishers of need to
retract/correct papers
Fabrication
• Making up data or results and
recording or reporting them.
Fabrication Example
• ORI ruled in 2015 that postdoctoral
scholar supported by NCI knowingly
fabricated Western blot images by
manipulating images to give the desired
results, and quantitative PCR data and
cell invasion and migration data
• Similar settlement
Plagiarism
• The appropriation of another
person's ideas, processes, results,
or words without giving appropriate
credit (U.S. Office of Research
Integrity)
Plagiarism
• NOT THE SAME AS:
– Redundant publication: copying and
republishing your own work (“self-
plagiarism”; “text recycling”)
– Copyright infringement: material
protected by copyright used without
consent
Redundant publication
“Self-plagiarism”
• Is republishing your own work
plagiarism if you have used only
your own words and ideas?
– Some consider this ‘literary theft’ –
presenting as new an ‘old’ product
• But can infringe on publisher’s
copyright
Plagiarism
• Most journals and universities use
tools to detect previous publication
• iThenticate: searches 14+billion web
pages, 100+ million articles, books,
conference proceedings
• Editor’s action during submission
process depends on extent
Research Misconduct
• Does not include honest error or
differences of opinion
University of Yaounde I Policy
• Allegations of inappropriate acts in the publication
process will be assessed by the Postgraduate office
and referred to the University of Yaounde I Scientific
Committee for review, inquiry, and/or investigation,
and disposition.
• The University of Yaounde I Scientific Committee will
make decisions about retraction of course
dissertations, published work based upon evaluation
of the information provided by the Institution and other
available information. (Case of a lecturer in ENS
Yaounde)
• If it concerns an established scientist of the University
his work will be revoked (Search for Guidelines)