FABRICATION AND FALSIFICATION OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH – A CHALLENGE FOR LEGISLATORS OR AN IRRELEVANT ISSUE?
FABRICATION AND FALSIFICATION OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH – A CHALLENGE FOR LEGISLATORS OR AN IRRELEVANT ISSUE?

Summary/Abstract: The article addresses the problem of fabrication and falsification of scientific research in the context of the role that lawmakers can play in combating this practice. Legisla­ tors may establish organisational units specialising in combating scientific miscon­ duct (also referred to as ‘research misconduct’), having the authority to, for instance, to conduct investigations or recommend penalties. A researcher who commits such misconduct may face not only disciplinary, but also civil, administrative or criminal liability. The article discusses the results of a survey asking 70 Polish academics about their opinion on the role of legislators in countering fabrication and falsifica­ tion in research. The findings show, for example, that respondents mostly support disciplinary responsibility for such misconduct (81%), and also believe that legisla­ tors should combat this practice using ‘soft’ measures, such as promoting codes of ethics in research (70%). Half of those surveyed wanted such behaviour crimina­ lised. According to almost half of the respondents, the Polish legislator does not combat such misconduct effectively.

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