Perception of Research Misconduct in a Spanish University

Dados Bibliográficos

ID6432048
AutoresRamón A Feenstra (0000-0002-4775-8762, Universitat Jaume I, autor correspondente), Carlota Carretero García (0000-0003-2395-2904, Universitat Jaume I), Emma Gómez Nicolau (0000-0002-3009-7427, Universitat Jaume I)
Ano2024
Volume23
Fascículo1
Páginas89-112
Data de publicação2024-04-05
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoJournal of Academic Ethics (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1570-1727 • E-ISSN: 1572-8544
EditoraSpringer Science+Business Media (PUBLISHER • DE)
DOI10.1007/s10805-024-09526-7
OpenAlexW4393994075
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas3
Referências citadas47

Several studies on research misconduct have already explored and discussed its potential occurrence in universities across different countries. However, little is known about this issue in Spain, a paradigmatic context due to its consolidated scientific evaluation system, which relies heavily on metrics. The present article attempts to fill this gap in the literature through an empirical study undertaken in a specific university: Universitat Jaume I (Castelló). The study was based on a survey with closed and open questions; almost half the total population of the university’s researchers participated (505 out of 1030, i.e. 49.03%), yielding a representative sample of different academic career stages and areas of knowledge. Results show that 71.68% (n = 362) of the respondents consider at least one form of misconduct to be proliferating in their area of knowledge at the national level. This figure falls to 48.95% (n = 247) in reference to misconduct in their own institution. The most frequently reported types of misconduct linked to life with colleagues are especially the use of personal influence (in evaluation or review processes); lax supervision of doctoral theses; and the abuse of power over people in lower positions. Personal ambitions and pressure from the evaluation system are regarded as the most influential causes of misconduct proliferation, according to academics at this Spanish university

Cognitive psychology · Misconduct · Perception · Political science · Scientific Misconduct · Academic integrity and plagiarism · Deception detection and forensic psychology · Ethics in Business and Education · Law · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology