What is the future of peer review? Why is there fraud in science? Is plagiarism out of control? Why do scientists do bad things? Is it all a case of:“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing?”

Abstract

Peer review is an essential component of the process that is universally applied prior to the acceptance of a manuscript, grant or other scholarly work. Most of us willingly accept the responsibilities that come with being a reviewer but how comfortable are we with the process? Peer review is open to abuse but how should it be policed and can it be improved? A bad peer review process can inadvertently ruin an individual’s career, but are there penalties for policing a reviewer who deliberately sabotages a manuscript or grant? Science has received an increasingly tainted name because of recent high profile cases of alleged scientific misconduct. Once considered the results of work stress or a temporary mental health problem, scientific misconduct is increasingly being reported and proved to be a repeat offence. How should scientific misconduct be handled—is it a criminal offence and subject to national or international law? Similarly plagiarism is an ever-increasing concern whether at the level of the student or a university president. Are the existing laws tough enough? These issues, with appropriate examples, are dealt with in this review.

Keywords:

• peer review
• journal impact factors
• conflicts of interest
• scientific misconduct
• plagiarism

Disclosures

DJT has no current research support funds from any private source. He serves on the Science Advisory Boards of three small biotechnology/pharmaceutical companies for which he receives expense reimbursement and honoraria (none in 2005 or 2006). He gives scientific seminars at universities and pharmaceutical companies for which he receives expense reimbursement and honoraria (the latter are usually declined). He has served as an expert witness in a number of litigation issues in the pharmaceutical industry for which he receives expenses (and in one case an honorarium). He receives payments and royalties from several academic book publishers for editing and writing activities.

CRT maintains an active research laboratory with operating grant support from national agencies, but receives no current research support funds from private (industrial) sources. He gives scientific seminars at universities, international society symposia, and pharmaceutical companies for which expense reimbursement and honoraria are accepted. He has also served as an expert witness in litigation issues in the pharmaceutical industry.

The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the institutions that employ them.