1. SCIENTIFIC MISCONDUCTS AMONG MEDICAL AND BIOMEDICAL STUDENTS: WHAT CAN INSTITUTIONS DO TO PREVENT THEM?
Presented by:
Emmanuel Balandya MD, PhD
Lecturer, Physiology and Deputy Director, Postgraduate Studies
Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS)

2. Reference Material
Ethical Issues in Clinical Research: A Practical Guide.
By Bernard Lo

3. What is Scientific Misconduct?
A deliberate act of plagiarism, fabrication or falsification during conduct of research.

4. Plagiarism
Definition – the appropriation of another person’s ideas, processes, results or words without giving them due credit.
Published work
Student’s write-up
Therefore, the presence of even subclinical infection is a variable that may cause an overestimation of iron-deficiency anemia, especially in populations where infection rates are often high. Hence, the impact of infections is greater in children than adults as the child population is more susceptible to infectious diseases.
Sales M. C et al, Rev Bras Hematol Hemater, 2011

5. Plagiarism
Plagiarism check tools are available online for free.

6. Fabrication
Definition – “making up” data or results and reporting them.
Blood glucose (mmol/L)
Control
Drug “X”
12.4
8.5
14.1
10.0
11.5
9.8
6.8
7.9
13.6
10.4
15.0
9.2
12.2
9.3
Avg.

7. Falsification
Definition – “changing” data by manipulating materials, equipment or data itself in order to get results you want.
Blood glucose (mmol/L)
Blood glucose (mmol/L)
Control
Drug “X”
12.4
8.5
14.1
10.0
11.5
9.8
6.8
7.9
13.6
10.4
15.0
9.2
12.2
9.3
Control
Drug “X”
12.4
8.5
14.1
10.0
11.5
9.8
7.9
13.6
10.4
15.0
9.2
13.3
9.3
Avg.
Avg.
P =
P =

8. However…. The following do NOT constitute misconduct;
Unbiased “data cleaning” prior analysis eg; removal of a data point reporting BP = 1100/75mmHg
“Honest mistakes” due to laziness, carelessness or poor scientific methods
Differences in opinion or interpretation

9. Scope of Misconduct
Can occur at any stage of scientific research; proposal development, data collection, data analysis or report writing.
Can be isolated misconduct or a combination of all three forms.
Suspect misconduct when things look “too good to be true”; data collected too fast, results look better than expected etc.

10. Scope of Misconduct
Note: A growing form of research misconduct is for students to “hire” other people to do part or all aspects of their research.
Eg: Writing proposals
Collecting and analyzing data
Writing report
This violates University academic regulations and output is prone to plagiarism, fabrication and falsification.

11. Impact of Misconduct False findings mislead the scientific community
Wastage of money and time building up on invalid results
If interventions are done based on false results, the patients and populations may be in danger
Undermine contribution of research to socio-economic development
Erode institution’s good image
Missed opportunity to acquire research skills

12. What is the Root Cause?
Perceived non-importance of research, especially among Coursework degree students
Precedence from former students/graduates
Lack of motivation on part of teachers (overworked, not well compensated for research supervision, students with poor research basics or interest, lack of means to impose tough measures on students)
Coursework workload relative to time for research?
Overworked IRB may miss transgressions? (especially if the student and supervisor submitted poor proposal)

13. What to do in case of misconduct?
Have safe channels for “whistle-blowers”
Conduct inquiry, lead by School/IRB etc
Protect both the defendant and whistle-blower until verdict is out
If guilty, issue penalty. At MUHAS, research misconduct is a serious offense punishable by failing the dissertation or discontinuation.

14. Preventive measures Educate the scientific community
To both students and academic staff
Importance of research at workplace for evidence- based practice
Enhance supervisor involvement
More time for one-on-one mentorship; research methods, data analysis, manuscript writing
Conduct plagiarism check, regular data audits
Visit student during data collection?

15. Preventive measures Role of Departments Role of Schools Role of IRB
Organize departmental student presentations (done for postgraduates. Feasible for undergrads?)
Role of Schools
Effectively use the School Research and Publications Committees to scrutinize proposals
Role of IRB
Education to stakeholders; Strict enforcement of rules and regulations

16. Preventive measures Positive reinforcement?
Publication of results, conference presentations
Involve outstanding students in ongoing projects
Showcase outstanding student research on University website, newsletter
Initiate a research-based fellowship award for one undergrad and one postgrad student each year?
Monetary incentives (for undergrads? Does it work?)

17. Thank You
Questions?