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CASE STUDY: Expedience, Misrepresentation, or Falsification?

Assign the two samples to their likely groups and publish the statistically significant and convincing results.

This choice is research misconduct, specifically, fabrication. Assigning the samples as one hopes they belong is equivalent to making up data or results. This choice is legally and ethically prohibited. This choice could also be seen as falsification. Falsification includes changing or omitting data or results such that the research is not accurately reported.

Suppose you are the investigator in the lab next door and hear about Dr. Leyos' choice from your graduate assistant, who was told by Dr. Leyos' graduate student.

Click on one of the following choices:
Don't pursue it. You have enough to do without getting caught up in a controversy like this.

Have a discussion with Dr. Leyos in which you attempt to argue for another alternative.

Discuss the situation with your graduate students and other colleagues, explaining the problems with Dr. Leyos' approach.

Report the situation to your department chair, dean, or other institutional officer.

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