Research Irresponsibility and Misconduct: Predisposing Factors and Consequences Research misconduct-predisposing factors

Abstract

Scientific misconduct can have serious consequences, such as avoidable disease or human loss as a result of erroneous information in the literature or the ongoing citation of retracted work. When current research or effort is based on previous, questionable, or fraudulent research, it can waste resources—both human and financial. The research careers of those who participate in misconduct may suffer as a result of article retractions and reputational consequences. Lack of appropriate training and skills, insufficient supervision or mentoring of the researcher, insufficient information, professional pressures, the researcher's personal psychology, and bureaucracy are all risk factors for research misconduct. The repercussions of research misconduct include dismissal from duty, imprisonment, suicide, failure to gain promotions, loss of editorships, dwindling research grants, graduate students unwillingness to join a research group, and early retirement. Academics should make every effort to prevent it.