Journal of Nihon University Medical Association
Online ISSN : 1884-0779
Print ISSN : 0029-0424
ISSN-L : 0029-0424
Review:
Scientific Misconduct and Publication Ethics
Satoshi Hayakawa
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JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2019 Volume 78 Issue 6 Pages 341-345

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Abstract

High ethical standards must be maintained by scientists during the publication of articles. Incorrect information, particularly in the medical sciences, might cause potential harm to human health irrespective of whether the information was generated by intentional misconduct or unintentional negligence. Three major misconducts, collectively known as F.F.P., are forgery (writing based on non-existing data), falsification, and plagiarism. In addition, publication of duplicated material is prohibited even in different languages because the worldwide connectivity via the Internet and availability of artificial intelligence-based translation systems enable every scientist to reach any article. A checker software can easily detect plagiarism, including self-plagiarism, which is then visible to journal editors, referees, and readers. The falsification of guest authors or laboratory leaders/chairpersons and/or the mention of ghost authors as contributors to a material for publication is also prohibited. In order to avoid false accusations of data fabrication, original laboratory notes, raw data, and photographic evidence must be retained. If new research has the potential to be made available to the scientific community, authors are requested to search preceding publications using Pubmed or any other suitable scientific search engine in order to emphasize the novelty of their study. Salami studies (use of limited data or the results from a single study to release multiple articles) and Imalas papers (those that arrive at the same conclusion only by increasing sample numbers) are also prohibited. Scientific and publication fraud can occasionally lead to the loss of a scientist’s livelihood resulting from demotion, dismissal, or suspension of research funding. It is thus imperative that strict standards are adhered to from the very beginning, starting with university students, residents, and post graduate students.

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