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Explanations of Research Misconduct, and How They Hang Together.

Authors :
Haven, Tamarinde
van Woudenberg, René
Source :
Journal for General Philosophy of Science; Dec2021, Vol. 52 Issue 4, p543-561, 19p
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

In this paper, we explore different possible explanations for research misconduct (especially falsification and fabrication), and investigate whether they are compatible. We suggest that to explain research misconduct, we should pay attention to three factors: (1) the beliefs and desires of the misconductor, (2) contextual affordances, (3) and unconscious biases or influences. We draw on the three different narratives (individual, institutional, system of science) of research misconduct as proposed by Sovacool to review six different explanations. Four theories start from the individual: Rational Choice theory, Bad Apple theory, General Strain Theory and Prospect Theory. Organizational Justice Theory focuses on institutional factors, while New Public Management targets the system of science. For each theory, we illustrate the kinds of facts that must be known in order for explanations based on them to have minimal plausibility. We suggest that none can constitute a full explanation. Finally, we explore how the different possible explanations interrelate. We find that they are compatible, with the exception of explanations based on Rational Choice Theory and Prospect Theory respectively, which are incompatible with one another. For illustrative purposes we examine the case of Diederik Stapel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
09254560
Volume :
52
Issue :
4
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Journal for General Philosophy of Science
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
153605892
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10838-021-09555-5