Fabrication and Falsification of Scientific Research – a Challenge for Legislators or an Irrelevant Issue?

Abstract

The article addresses the problem of fabrication and falsification of scientific research in the context of the role that lawmakers can play in combating this practice. Legisla­tors may establish organisational units specialising in combating scientific miscon­duct (also referred to as ‘research misconduct’), having the authority to, for instance, to conduct investigations or recommend penalties. A researcher who commits such misconduct may face not only disciplinary, but also civil, administrative or criminal liability. The article discusses the results of a survey asking 70 Polish academics about their opinion on the role of legislators in countering fabrication and falsifica­tion in research. The findings show, for example, that respondents mostly support disciplinary responsibility for such misconduct (81%), and also believe that legisla­tors should combat this practice using ‘soft’ measures, such as promoting codes of ethics in research (70%). Half of those surveyed wanted such behaviour crimina­lised. According to almost half of the respondents, the Polish legislator does not combat such misconduct effectively.

Keywords

• science
• scientific misconduct
• fabrication and falsification of research
• legal liability of researchers