2014 Volume 57 Issue 7 Pages 451-456
Recent news on misconduct by Japanese researchers has had an impact on Japanese society. The scandals surrounding misconduct have highlighted the importance of ethics to researchers, students and editors, as well as the general public. However, under the pressure to publish, researchers can occasionally be tempted to commit such misconduct in any country. Journal editors are obliged to be deeply involved when such misconduct is discovered. Further, technological developments in publishing make it easier to commit misconduct regarding authorship, fabrication, falsification, plagiarism. Journal editors must constantly be aware of such possibility and also as to how such situation must be dealt with. In addition, it is important to provide an environment where such misconduct cannot occur. Fortunately, useful information from reliable organizations such as the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) is available. Journals must pursue publication of high impact articles but also fair articles.
