Khot Anant, Chindhalore Chaitali A, Naikwadi Akram
Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagpur, IND.
Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Bijapur Lingayat District Educational (BLDE) Shri B. M. Patil Hospital, Medical College and Research Center, Vijayapura, IND.
Cureus. 2024 Apr 28;16(4):e59200. doi: 10.7759/cureus.59200. eCollection 2024 Apr.
Introduction Research integrity is an active adherence to the ethical principles and professional standards essential for the responsible practice of research. Research or scientific misconduct stands like child abuse today. The survey of National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded scientists calculated an absolute minimum of 2325 incidents of scientific misconduct per year. A report has also shown that Iran (6.60), India (5.68), Turkey (5.38), South Korea (3.59), and China (2.00) had higher ratios of publication misconduct to distrust data or interpretations than other countries. Hence, to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAPs) of the research integrity/scientific misconduct among the faculty and postgraduates working in the medical colleges in North Karnataka (NK) and Central India (CI), this study has been carried out. Methods It is a web-based, cross-sectional study carried out with the use of Google Forms (Google, Mountain View, California). A pretested, unstructured questionnaire consisting of 25 questions was posted in the way of a link to the faculty and postgraduates working in various disciplines within the colleges of NK and CI either by using an e-mail or other social platforms like WhatsApp. Institutional Ethics Committee approval was obtained in both regions before conducting the survey. Results A total of 146 participants responded to the e-questionnaire posted to them. Participants from CI displayed better awareness in several areas compared to NK. Citing articles and/ or materials that have not been read is the common questionable research practice (QRP) they have come across, as mentioned by participants in both groups. Discussion The study reveals a moderate level of knowledge and variable attitudes toward research integrity. The "publish or perish" culture is a major contributor to misconduct. Training and awareness programs are needed to enhance ethical research practices. Conclusion This study highlights the need for improved education and policy implementation to uphold research integrity in medical colleges, emphasizing the role of academic culture in shaping ethical research practices.
引言
研究诚信是积极遵守负责任的研究实践所必需的伦理原则和专业标准。如今，研究或科学不端行为就如同虐待儿童一样恶劣。美国国立卫生研究院（NIH）资助的科学家调查显示，每年科学不端行为事件绝对最少有2325起。一份报告还表明，伊朗（6.60）、印度（5.68）、土耳其（5.38）、韩国（3.59）和中国（2.00）在出版不当行为与对数据或解释的不信任方面的比例高于其他国家。因此，为了确定北卡纳塔克邦（NK）和印度中部（CI）医学院的教职员工和研究生对研究诚信/科学不端行为的知识、态度和实践情况，开展了本研究。
方法
这是一项基于网络的横断面研究，使用谷歌表单（谷歌公司，加利福尼亚州山景城）进行。一份经过预测试的、包含25个问题的非结构化问卷通过电子邮件或WhatsApp等其他社交平台以链接的方式发送给NK和CI各学院不同学科的教职员工和研究生。在两个地区进行调查之前均获得了机构伦理委员会的批准。
结果
共有146名参与者回复了发送给他们的电子问卷。与NK相比，CI的参与者在几个方面表现出了更好的认知。两组参与者都提到，引用未阅读过的文章和/或材料是他们遇到的常见可疑研究行为（QRP）。
讨论
该研究揭示了对研究诚信的中等水平的知识以及不同的态度。“不发表就出局”的文化是不当行为的主要促成因素。需要开展培训和提高认识的项目以加强符合伦理的研究实践。
结论
本研究强调了在医学院改进教育和政策实施以维护研究诚信的必要性，强调了学术文化在塑造符合伦理的研究实践中的作用。
