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Fraud by Numbers: Metrics and the New Academic Misconduct

Fraud by Numbers: Metrics and the New Academic Misconduct

UCLA professor of Law and Communication Mario Biagioli dissects how metric-based evaluations are shaping university agendas.

China's Research-misconduct Rules Target 'paper Mills' That Churn out Fake Studies

China's Research-misconduct Rules Target 'paper Mills' That Churn out Fake Studies

China’s science ministry is set to introduce its most comprehensive rules so far for dealing with research misconduct. The measures, which come into effect next month, outline what constitute violations and appropriate punishments. But critics say that enforcement will continue to be a problem.

Signs of 'citation Hacking' Flagged in Scientific Papers

Signs of 'citation Hacking' Flagged in Scientific Papers

An algorithm developed to spot abnormal patterns of citations aims to find scientists who have manipulated reference lists.

Weekend Reads: Retracted COVID-19 Papers; a Coronavirus Study Kept Under Wraps; Harvard and Jeffrey Epstein

Weekend Reads: Retracted COVID-19 Papers; a Coronavirus Study Kept Under Wraps; Harvard and Jeffrey Epstein

Before we present this week's Weekend Reads, a question: Do you enjoy our weekly roundup? If so, we could really use your help. Would you consider a tax-deductible donation to support Weekend Reads…

Greek Scientist Found to Have De-frauded European Research Council

Greek Scientist Found to Have De-frauded European Research Council

OLAF, the EU's anti-fraud agency, this week confirmed an unnamed Greek scientist de-frauded the European Research Council (ERC) of roughly €190,000. "A complex fraud involving a Greek scientist and her network of international researchers has been uncovered by investigators," OLAF said.

Putin Wanted Russian Science to Top the World. Then a Huge Academic Scandal Blew Up.

Putin Wanted Russian Science to Top the World. Then a Huge Academic Scandal Blew Up.

Eight years ago, President Vladimir Putin decreed that Russia must become a leading scientific power. That meant at least five top-100 Russian universities by 2020, and a dramatic increase in the number of global citations of Russian scientific papers. Now a group at the center of Putin’s aspirations, the Russian Academy of Sciences, has dropped a bombshell into the plans. A commission set up by the academy has led to the retraction of at least 869 Russian scientific articles, mainly for plagiarism.

Head of Ancient-DNA Lab Sacked for ‘serious Misconduct’

Head of Ancient-DNA Lab Sacked for ‘serious Misconduct’

Alan Cooper was dismissed as the leader of a prestigious genomics centre, following an investigation.

Why Sexual Harassment Needs Tougher Punishment

Why Sexual Harassment Needs Tougher Punishment

Grant and funding withdrawals should be considered in cases of sexual harrassment, say researchers.

German University Finds 'severe' Misconduct by Researcher Who Promoted Questionable Cancer Blood Test

German University Finds 'severe' Misconduct by Researcher Who Promoted Questionable Cancer Blood Test

Court prevents publicity for investigations into Heidelberg University Hospital cancer test scandal

Harvard and MIT Leaders Acknowledge Deeper Ties to Jeffrey Epstein Than Previously Known

Harvard and MIT Leaders Acknowledge Deeper Ties to Jeffrey Epstein Than Previously Known

Presidents of Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology acknowledged in separate announcements this week that their connections to financier Jeffrey Epstein went deeper than previously revealed, further entangling the elite institutions with a donor who was a convicted sex offender.