What is research misconduct?

Abstract

In the Nordic countries, formal definitions have never been considered critical or even feasible, since dishonesty is regarded as ranging from minor deviations from good scientific practice to obvious misconduct. In the USA, and increasingly in other countries, findings of research misconduct are being challenged in court, so a robust definition, able to withstand legal assault, is legally required. Originally, the office of research integrity tried to keep misconduct proceedings in the hands of scientists rather than lawyers. Research misconduct is significant misbehavior that improperly appropriates the intellectual property or contributions of others, that intentionally impedes the progress of research, or that risks corrupting the scientific record or compromising the integrity of scientific practices. Scientific misconduct or misconduct means fabrication, falsification, plagiarism or deception in proposing, carrying out or reporting results of research and deliberate, dangerous or negligent deviations from accepted practice in carrying out research.