Integrity and responsibility of researchers Ethical view

By Michèle Leduc

Abstract

Who tracks fraud and misconduct? How do scientific communities prevent scientists from falsifying their research? In her lecture, Michèle Leduc starts by introducing COMETS, the French scientific ethical committee she works for. She then talks about the necessity of integrity in science, and lists several examples of misconduct that have been observed amongst scientists. Leduc mentions different ways to prevent such misbehaviors, naming ethical committees, self-examination and control websites. She talks at length about the case of Olivier Voinnet and the consequences of his actions. She concludes her lecture by calling for the responsibility of scientists in their research.

Summary

00:00:10 – 1. Introduction
00:00:25 – 1.1. Presentation of COMETS

00:13:02 – 2. Integrity
00:13:03 – 2.1. Definition of integrity
00:13:56 – 2.2. Why should we worry about integrity?
00:14:05 – 2.2.1. Pressure on researchers
00:16:03 – 2.3. Seven reasons to care for integrity

00:20:20 – 3. Misconducts?
00:20:40 – 3.1. The different types of misconducts
00:24:28 – 3.2. An international concern
00:25:52 – 3.3. A charter signed by all research institutions

00:27:20 – 4. The COMETS’ guide
00:27:21 – 4.1. Objectives
00:30:00 – 4.2. The benefits of collaborative work
00:32:02 – 4.3. The role of mentors
00:32:27 – 4.4. About authorship
00:33:10 – 4.5. Responsibility

00:33:40 – 5. Open access to publications
00:33:41 – 5.1. Advantages of publishing in open access
00:35:00 – 5.2. The price of publishing
00:36:25 – 5.3. Recommendations from COMETS
00:40:37 – 5.4. Predatory publishers

00:41:55 – 6. Frauds
00:41:56 – 6.1. Plagiarism
00:56:30 – 6.2. Fabrication or falsification of data
01:29:15 – 6.4. Post publication peer review: PubPeer

01:36:20 – 7. Conclusion
01:37:18 – 7.1. Responsibility of scientific experts