Watch for individuals who are working too
quickly or too well. Most protocols have an
average run time—is anyone collecting data
at a suspiciously fast rate? If so, find out why.
Some people just have the knack, but you
may want confirmation.Learn about Research Integrity
The Office of Research Integrity^2 provides
easy-to-use guidance. On its website, you will
find published reports of completed investi-
gations. In reviewing these cases, notice thatfabricators exist at all levels of science—data
collectors, graduate students, colleagues, and
supervisors. There is also a wide range of
sophistication in carrying out the fabrication.
Each case report is a free lesson for you, which
came at great personal and professional
expense to the named individuals.
ORI staff use the website to explain inves-
tigational techniques, some of which may
provide early detection of problems in your
lab. For instance, there is a demonstration
of statistical forensics using human biases
in generating numbers as a telltale sign offabrication. It turns out it isn’t so easy to
make up convincing data. Also posted is
guidance on making an allegation and on
protecting yourself against an allegation.Read these suggestions now so you can
ensure that your first reaction to an allega-
tion is the best one.
The website also links you to the emerging
field of research on understanding scientific
misconduct. There are reports on the percep-
tions of exonerated individuals regarding
how they were treated during and after an
investigation. You also can find application
guidelines for grants in this area.
Another way to learn about misconduct
at arm’s distance is to say “yes” when asked
to consult on an investigation. Whether
conducted by your institution or another or
by the ORI, you will see what is considered
suspicious and how suspicions are handled.
You will help decide what is fair to the person
under suspicion, the individual making the
allegation, and to science.Promote Research Integrity
Finally, and most positively, promote
research integrity. Do so by teaching it in
your classes, through your mentoring, and in
the lab. Explicitly teach the standards of con-
duct in research. Review cases of scientific
fraud and the ramifications for the
researchers, the field, and the public trust. Be
sure that you explain what to do if miscon-
duct is suspected at your institution.
Hold lab meetings to explain that some
rules are not identical across labs or disci-
plines (e.g., authorship, ownership of data,
and conflicts of interest) and present the rules
that your lab follows. These shifting areas all
require discussion at the beginning of a col-
laboration so new staff members know what
to expect for their degree of contribution.
Some entering graduate students may never
have had such a discussion, resulting in
unwarranted expectations about authorship
or unlimited use of a data set. By making the
meeting a discussion rather than a lecture
about your lab’s standards, you can learn142 CAREER ADVICE FOR LIFE SCIENTISTS II
Fabricators exist at all levels of
science—data collectors,
graduate students, colleagues,
and supervisors.It turns out it isn’t so easy to
make up convincing data.