Table 1 Definition of scientific misconduct and COPE guidelines for journal responses to errors or misconduct
Definition of scientific misconduct | |
|---|---|
Fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing or reviewing research, or in reporting research results [5] |
COPE guidelines | |
|---|---|
Problem | Recommended action |
A small part of otherwise reliable publication is misleading (especially if honest error) | Correction |
Incorrect author list | |
Inconclusive evidence of research or publication misconduct | Expression of concern |
Evidence that findings are unreliable but authors’ institution will not investigate | |
Believe an investigation has not been, or would not be, fair and impartial or conclusive | |
An investigation is underway but results not be available for some time | |
Clear evidence that findings are unreliable because of misconduct or honest error | Retract publication |
Findings have been published previously | |
Plagiarism | |
Research is unethical | |