Prevalence of Scientific Misconduct Among a Group of Researchers in N igeria

Bibliographic Data

ID19516751
AuthorsPatrick Okonta (0000-0001-6209-7336, Delta State University, corresponding author), Theresa M Rossouw (0000-0003-4066-922X, Delta State University), Theresa Rossouw
Year2013
Volume13
Issue3
Pages149-157
Publication date2013-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueDeveloping World Bioethics (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1471-8731 • E-ISSN: 1471-8847
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1471-8847.2012.00339.x
PMID22994914
PMCIDPMC3530634
OpenAlexW2116451968
LanguageEN
Citations received24
References cited19

BACKGROUND: There is a dearth of information on the prevalence of scientific misconduct from Nigeria. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at determining the prevalence of scientific misconduct in a group of researchers in Nigeria. Factors associated with the prevalence were ascertained. METHOD: A descriptive study of researchers who attended a scientific conference in 2010 was conducted using the adapted Scientific Misconduct Questionnaire-Revised (SMQ-R). RESULTS: Ninety-one researchers (68.9%) admitted having committed at least one of the eight listed forms of scientific misconduct. Disagreement about authorship was the most common form of misconduct committed (36.4%) while plagiarism was the least (9.2%). About 42% of researchers had committed falsification of data or plagiarism. Analysis of specific acts of misconduct showed that committing plagiarism was inversely associated with years in research (Fisher exact p-value = 0.02); falsifying data was related to perceived low effectiveness of the institution's rules and procedures for reducing scientific misconduct (X(2) = 6.44, p-value = 0.01); and succumbing to pressure from study sponsor to engage in unethical practice was related to sex of researcher (Fisher exact p-value = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The emergent data from this study is a cause for serious concern and calls for prompt intervention. The best response to reducing scientific misconduct will proceed from measures that contain both elements of prevention and enforcement. Training on research ethics has to be integrated into the curriculum of undergraduate and postgraduate students while provision should be made for in-service training of researchers. Penalties against acts of scientific misconduct should be enforced at institutional and national levels

Alternative medicine · Criminology · Family medicine · Medical education · Misconduct · Pathology · Political science · Scientific Misconduct · Academic integrity and plagiarism · Academic Writing and Publishing · Computer Science · Law · Medicine · Psychology · Reliability and Agreement in Measurement

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