Halo 194 (Jan 2020)
Scientific misconduct
Abstract
With the creation of a global computer network, the internet, all manner of information has become available to scientists and everyone else around the world. The exchange of information gives scientists insight into the most recent scientific discoveries while enabling them at the same time to use the information for their research. Scientists and experts must be sure that their colleagues' research is valid, objective and the results complete. These scientific research characteristics represent scientific honesty. Scientific misconduct can take various forms and can be present in all phases of the scientific research process, but most commonly takes the form of fabrication, falsification and plagiarism. The reasons for scientific misconduct can be personal, professional and financial. There is also a "grey zone", which consists of data manipulation and selection, reference citing mistakes, multiple and salami publications, problematic authorships. Every type of misconduct has a detrimental effect on the scientific community. In the public eye, scientists are benevolent seekers of truth with high moral integrity, whose work is of key value to society. Any type of scientific misconduct serves to dishonour the scientific community but also brings confusion into the work of other researchers, therefore significantly slowing down scientific discovery in whole. Digitalization and technological advancement significantly contribute to the early discovery, elimination and sanctioning of any kind of research misconduct. A significant improvement in solving these problems can be achieved through adequate education of young researchers and introducing laws that precisely define penalties for breaking the code of good scientific practice.
