Many Scientists Admit Unethical Practices

jangobongo writes "A surprising number of scientists engage in questionable research practices says a story at the Washington Post. According to a large-scale survey of scientific misbehavior, 15% admit to changing a study under pressure from a funding source. Other reasons for altering data include dropping data from a study based on a gut feeling and failing to include data that contradicts one's own research. This chart gives a quick rundown of the percentage of U.S. based scientists who reported having engaged in questionable research practices according to the survey."

Comments

so

[derxob]

does this mean pigs can fly? have we had the cure for cancer all along??
I want my mommie.

Ethics

[PhotoJim]

Next they'll be telling us that politicians aren't ethical either. :) People are always tempted to take the easy route...

I've got one thing going for me!

[turtledawn]

When I did my last research project, I had no clue what my results meant and made that clear in my paper!

This was an undergraduate ornithology project that was supposed to take six weeks, according to my advisor. Every professor I've told about it since then has said, that's graduate level at least...

Re:I've got one thing going for me!

[CaptainCarrot]

You got that straight, buster! Measuring the airspeed velocity of coconut-laden swallows is not for undergrads! You must be a fully-trained scientist. With scales, and at least one duck.

I for one

[Microsift]

Don't trust the science behind this story!

Most Famous Unethical Scientist

[JJ]

It had to be the Professor of Gilligan's Island fame. If he could come up with a car, fix the radio, etc. don't you think he could have come up with a way to fix the boat.

In truth he just liked the attention of hanging out with Ginger, the movie star and Maryanne, the girl next door.

Re:Most Famous Unethical Scientist

[TripMaster Monkey]

He could have fixed the boat anytime he wanted...but then they would have gone back to civilization, where he was just a nerdy little nobody.

On that island, the Professor was God.

Is there any way...

[Triped]

Is there any way to say that this isn't surprising without being considered a troll?

Don't listen to this.

[kjeldor]

The person who wrote conducted this research lied about the results. There are actually no researches whatsoever who falsify data.

Re:Fortunately...

[TripMaster Monkey]

Actually, religion doesn't change as much as it forks.

And we should trust these numbers?

[frovingslosh]

15% admit to changing a study under pressure

Reached for comment, the researchers admitted that the actual number was 9%, but they felt some scientists were not willing to admit their wrong-doing, and their editor wasn't going to publish the story unless the number was at least 15%.