Integrity in Scientific Research: Creating an Environment that Promotes Responsible Conduct

Abstract

Integrity (or lack of it) in scientific research is a hot topic, and getting hotter. A number of high profile cases of scientific misconduct in the medical press have put scientific research practices under the spotlight. Such cases reflect badly on the scientific community, undermine the public's trust in scientific progress, and jeopardise future funding for research. And it's not just a scientist's problem: patients suffer when they take part in badly designed clinical trials or are excluded from important new treatments that are delayed because of false promises based on …