New Classification of Research Misconduct from the Viewpoint of Truth, Trust, and Risk

ABSTRACT

Fabrication, Falsification and Plagiarism (FFP) and Questionable Research Practice (QRP) have been used worldwide in the classification of research misconduct. However, FFP comprises two distinct categories of misconduct: FF is extreme research misconduct that betrays truth, while P undermines trust of science community. Irreproducibility and inadequate practice of research also betray trust. Research misconduct has the potential to cause serious risk of safety in daily life. The proposed classification system is outlined as follows: Class I misconduct: Betrayal of the truth: (1) Fabrication and (2) Falsification. Class II misconduct: Betrayal of trust: (1) Plagiarism of text ; Irreproducibility; and (3) Inadequate research practice. Class III misconduct: Risk to safety of health and industrial products: (1) Risk to safety of health and (2) Risk to safety of industrial products. The proposed classification reflects deeper values of truth, trust, and risk more directly than the previous classification and elucidates issues about nature and significance of misconduct.

KEYWORDS:

• Classification of research misconduct
• fabricaiton and falsification
• inadequate research practice
• irreproducibility
• plagiarism
• risk to safety

Acknowledgments

The author acknowledges to Dr. Zoë Hammatt, Z Consulting LLC, for her critical reading that inspired the author and for her editing the English text.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.