What is defined as research misconduct?

The definition of research misconduct primarily encompasses fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in research. Each of these components undermines the integrity of the research process.

Fabrication refers to the deliberate creation of data or results that do not exist, while falsification involves manipulating research materials, equipment, or processes to produce deceptive results. Plagiarism is the act of presenting someone else’s ideas, processes, results, or words as one’s own without appropriate attribution. These actions not only compromise the validity and reliability of research but also damage public trust in scientific inquiry and the ethical standards that govern research practices.

The other options, while potentially indicative of problematic practices, do not fully encapsulate the established definition of research misconduct. Documenting study results inaccurately may reflect poor practices or errors but does not necessarily equate to misconduct as defined by major research ethics guidelines. Publishing findings without peer review could be considered unprofessional or scientifically unsound but is not a defined act of misconduct within research ethics. Conducting research without participant consent raises significant ethical concerns, particularly related to participant rights and welfare, but it is categorized under ethical violations rather than strictly research misconduct. Thus, the most accurate and comprehensive definition of misconduct within the context of research is indeed the combination of fabrication,