When is lack of scientific integrity a reason for retracting a paper? A case study

Jess G Fiedorowicz; James L Levenson; Albert F.G Leentjens

doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2021.110412

Back

When is lack of scientific integrity a reason for retracting a paper? A case study

Journal article

Peer reviewed

When is lack of scientific integrity a reason for retracting a paper? A case study

Jess G Fiedorowicz, James L Levenson and Albert F.G Leentjens

Journal of psychosomatic research, Vol.144, pp.110412-110412

05/2021

DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2021.110412

PMID: 33730636

View Online

Abstract

The journal received a request to retract a paper reporting the results of a triple-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. The present and immmediate past editors expand on the journal's decision not to retract this paper in spite of undisputable evidence of scientific misconduct on behalf of one of the investigators. The editors present an ethical reflection on the request to retract this randomized clinical trial with consideration of relevant guidelines from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) applied to the unique contextual issues of this case. In this case, scientific misconduct by a blinded provider of a homeopathy intervention attempted to undermine the study blind. As part of the study, the integrity of the study blind was assessed. Neither participants nor homeopaths were able to identify whether the participant was assigned to homeopathic medicine or placebo. Central to the decision not to retract the paper was the fact that the rigorous scientific design provided evidence that the outcome of the study was not affected by the misconduct. The misconduct itself was thought to be insufficient reason to retract the paper. Retracting a paper of which the outcome is still valid was in itself considered unethical, as it takes away the opportunity to benefit from its results, rendering the whole study useless. In such cases, scientific misconduct is better handled through other professional channels.

Ethical reflection

Retraction

Scientific Misconduct

Blinding

Randomized control trial

Homeopathy

Details

Title: Subtitle: When is lack of scientific integrity a reason for retracting a paper? A case study
Creators: Jess G Fiedorowicz - Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
James L Levenson - Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
Albert F.G Leentjens - Department of Psychiatry, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of psychosomatic research, Vol.144, pp.110412-110412
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2021.110412
PMID: 33730636
NLM abbreviation: J Psychosom Res
ISSN: 0022-3999
eISSN: 1879-1360
Publisher: Elsevier Inc
Language: English
Date published: 05/2021
Academic Unit: Psychiatry; Epidemiology; Iowa Neuroscience Institute
Record Identifier: 9984070448102771

Metrics

22 Record Views

See more details