<< Previous Section | < Previous Page | Next Page > | Next Section >> Case: Data Falsification (page 2 of 6) George: No matter. It's not your responsibility to pursue every suspicious statement or puzzling action that goes on in your department. Patricia: Well, it's not so simple. As scientists we have responsibility for the integrity of the research record and that means uncovering misconduct. Jennie told me that she made copies of the relevant notebook pages to study and volunteered to show them to me. I wonder whether I should look at them. George: Well, you know I like Ed. Hasn't he been a productive researcher and inspired teacher? It's hard to believe that he participated in anything dishonest. Maybe Jennie, in her naiveté has it all wrong. Patricia: That's the dilemma. The suspicion here is of data falsification, a most serious form of research misconduct. Perhaps Jennie was completely off base but she's not naive-in fact, she's really smart. She isn't pointing a finger, yet what she's saying is quite serious. Patricia: I wonder how to discuss this with Ed. Should I request his notebooks? Should I take this to the dean? I really could use some advice because reporting to the dean will probably initiate an official inquiry. George: You should think about the potential consequences to you and to Jennie. This could get out of control. Maybe a colleague can help. Questions: As a colleague of Dr. Frankel's what would you suggest? Did Jennie make an allegation on misconduct? Is the proposed crime the process of research or the possibility of a false outcome? Narrator: Professor Frankel meets with Prof. Milani Professor Frankel: I hear that there is some problem replicating the purification of your transduction factor. Professor Milani: Don't worry about it. There is nothing to it. Don't get involved. Leave it entirely to me and I will clear it up. I am reviewing the notebooks and will get back to you soon. Narrator: After a month without progress, Prof. Frankel takes the problem to Dean Jeremy Stoessel. Prof. Frankel: Jeremy, we have this little matter that may or may not involve research misconduct. I am puzzled as to what to do because Ed is my friend and the grad student is pretty new but the lack of willingness to communicate led me to take it to you. << Previous Section | < Previous Page | Next Page > | Next Section >> Chapter 8 Quick Links Malfeasance and Misconduct Definitions Process Whistleblowing Litigation, the New Approach to Research Management The Importance of Trust Cases Bibliography Chapter 8 Download (PDF)