How should researchers cope with the ethical demands of discovering research misconduct? Going beyond reporting and whistleblowing

Abstract

In this paper, I will argue that making it mandatory to report research misconduct is too demanding, as this kind of intervention can at times be self-destructive for the researcher reporting the misconduct. I will also argue that posing the question as a binary dilemma masks important ethical aspects of such situations. In situations that are too demanding for individual researchers to rectify through reporting, there can be other forms of social control available. I will argue that researchers should explore these. Finally, framing the issue as a question about the responsibilities of individual researchers masks the responsibilities of research institutions. Until institutions introduce measures that make this safe and effective, we should not consider reporting research misconduct mandatory. I will discuss this in light of both quantitative and qualitative data gathered as part of a survey in the PRINTEGERproject.

Fostering a Research Integrity Culture: Actionable Advice for Institutions

“…More important than anything is for institutional leaders at all levels to "walk the talk": exert visible ethical leadership, lead by example and act according to the processes, policies and procedures they issue (Forsberg et al, 2018;LERU, 2020;Valkenburg et al, 2021;Vie, 2020;Winchester, 2018). Gopalakrishna, ter Riet and colleagues (2021) recently suggested that researchers often may subscribe to the norms of scientific integrity but nevertheless digress from those norms due to dissonance in their research environment.…”

“…However, a significant proportion of researchers does not know where or how to report instances of suspected misconduct (Moran et al, 2020). Less than half would feel comfortable doing so without fear of retaliation or personal impact (Moran et al, 2020) because they lack confidence in their institution's willingness or ability to investigate the case thoroughly and correctly, to take corrective action, or even to take the report seriously (Vie, 2020).…”

“…Finally, institutions should publish public -but anonymous -reports about research integrity investigations, their results, and sanctions as well as measures against whistleblower retaliation (Forsberg et al, 2018;Gunsalus, 2019;Gunsalus et al, 2018;LERU, 2020). This can create a positive precedent and increase potential whistleblowers' confidence in their institutions' ability for safe, prompt, professional and satisfying investigation of suspected research misconduct (Hesselman & Reinhart, 2020;Vie, 2020). Gunsalus and colleagues (2018) proposed a checklist for research integrity investigations, which also covers the appropriateness and completeness of post-hoc reporting.…”

“…This may explain how misconduct can last up to four years before an investigation starts (DuBois et al, 2013). Nevertheless, leaders who fail to act on signals that research integrity is compromised elicit frustration and shy away potential whistleblowers (Vie, 2020). In contrast, a formal, effective response to allegations of misconduct can potentially prevent future breaches of research integrity (Abdi, Pizzolato et al, 2021;Kumar, 2010), especially because it fits into the culture of collective openness.…”

“…Laboratory management skills and stress and time management skills can alleviate the pressure that leads to corner cutting (Antes, 2014). Interpersonal skills, intercultural sensitivity and conflict resolution skills can defuse conflicts before they become problematic, facilitate collaboration (Tang & Lee, 2020;Yeo-Teh & Tang, 2021), and can assist students in Eastern and more collectively focused cultures where conflicts with authority figures have to be avoided to defend their rights not to be exploited (Tang & Lee, 2020;Vie, 2020). Furthermore, strategies to achieve peer support, counselling advice and awareness of the proper channels to report misconduct may lower the threshold for potential whistle-blowers to come forward (Yeo-Teh & Tang, 2021).…”