Contextualizing the emerging and contested role of sleuths in the science monitoring system

Bibliographic Data

ID17600366
AuthorsSerge P J M Horbach (0000-0003-0406-6261, Institute for Science in Society, Radboud University , Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, corresponding author), Austė Valinčiūtė (0000-0002-8352-3506, Institute for Science in Society, Radboud University , Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen)
Year2026
Publication date2026-04-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueScience and Public Policy (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0302-3427 • E-ISSN: 1471-5430
PublisherOxford University Press (OUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1093/scipol/scag044
OpenAlexW7155352275
LanguageEN
References cited39

In light of persistent challenges to the quality and integrity of the research record, new monitoring practices of research are emerging in the form of scientific sleuthing. While quickly developing into a sizeable community of actors that is prominently engaging in scientific quality control, the role of scientific sleuths is both contested and poorly conceptualized. This perspective addresses this by positioning sleuths in the context of institutionalized actors involved in the research monitoring process, including peer reviewers, research integrity officers and science journalists. It argues that while sleuths share characteristics with each of these roles, they nevertheless form a distinct class of actors, most importantly because of the absence of formal accountability structures. This has triggered comparisons of scientific sleuthing to vigilantism. We provide a conceptual framework to describe sleuthing practices, allowing further exploration of sleuths’ ability to uphold the research literature’s quality and integrity

Accountability · Citizen science · Conceptual framework · Information Systems Theories and Implementation · Research Data Management Practices · Scientific Computing and Data Management

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