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Singh A, Botros M, Guirguis P, Punreddy A, Mesfin A, Puvanesarajah V. Prevalence, Characteristics, and Trends in Retracted Spine Literature: 2000-2023. World Neurosurg 2024; 187:e313-e320. [PMID: 38649024 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2024.04.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Retraction of scientific publications is an important check on scientific misconduct and serves to maintain the integrity of the scientific literature. The present study aims to examine the prevalence, trends, and characteristics of retracted spine literature across basic science and clinical spine literature. METHODS Multiple databases were queried for retracted papers relating to spine or spine surgery, between January 2000 and May 2023. Of 112,668 publications initially identified, 125 were ultimately included in the present study following screening by 2 independent reviewers. Journal of origin, reasons for retraction, date of publication, date of retraction, impact factor of journal, countries of research origin, and study design were collected for each included publication. RESULTS Clinical studies were the most frequent type of retracted publication (n = 70). The most common reason for retraction was fraud (n = 58), followed by plagiarism (n = 22), and peer review process manipulation (n = 16). Impact factors ranged from 0.3 to 11.1 with a median of 3.75. Average months from publication to retraction across all studies was 37.5 months. The higher the journal impact factor, the longer the amount of time between publication and retraction (P = 0.01). China (n = 63) was the country of origin of more than half of all retracted spine publications. CONCLUSIONS The rate of retractions has been increasing over the past 23 years, and clinical studies have been the most frequently retracted publication type. Clinicians treating disorders of the spine should be aware of these trends when relying on the clinical literature to inform their practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aman Singh
- Department of Orthopaedics & Physical Performance, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Mina Botros
- Department of Orthopaedics & Physical Performance, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Paul Guirguis
- Department of Orthopaedics & Physical Performance, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Ankit Punreddy
- Department of Orthopaedics & Physical Performance, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Addisu Mesfin
- MedStar Orthopaedic Institute, Medstar Washington Hospital Center, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Varun Puvanesarajah
- Department of Orthopaedics & Physical Performance, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA.
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Bakker CJ, Reardon EE, Brown SJ, Theis-Mahon N, Schroter S, Bouter L, Zeegers MP. Identification of retracted publications and completeness of retraction notices in public health. J Clin Epidemiol 2024; 173:111427. [PMID: 38880438 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2024.111427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Retraction is intended to be a mechanism to correct the published body of knowledge when necessary due to fraudulent, fatally flawed, or ethically unacceptable publications. However, the success of this mechanism requires that retracted publications be consistently identified as such and that retraction notices contain sufficient information to understand what is being retracted and why. Our study investigated how clearly and consistently retracted publications in public health are being presented to researchers. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING This is a cross-sectional study, using 441 retracted research publications in the field of public health. Records were retrieved for each of these publications from 11 resources, while retraction notices were retrieved from publisher websites and full-text aggregators. The identification of the retracted status of the publication was assessed using criteria from the Committee on Publication Ethics and the National Library of Medicine. The completeness of the associated retraction notices was assessed using criteria from Committee on Publication Ethics and Retraction Watch. RESULTS Two thousand eight hundred forty-one records for retracted publications were retrieved, of which less than half indicated that the article had been retracted. Less than 5% of publications were identified as retracted through all resources through which they were available. Within single resources, if and how retracted publications were identified varied. Retraction notices were frequently incomplete, with no notices meeting all the criteria. CONCLUSIONS The observed inconsistencies and incomplete notices pose a threat to the integrity of scientific publishing and highlight the need to better align with existing best practices to ensure more effective and transparent dissemination of information on retractions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin J Bakker
- Dr. John Archer Library and Archives, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada; Department of Epidemiology, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.
| | - Erin E Reardon
- Woodruff Health Sciences Library, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sarah Jane Brown
- Health Sciences Library, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | | | - Sara Schroter
- BMJ, London, UK; Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Lex Bouter
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Faculty of Humanities, Department of Philosophy, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Maurice P Zeegers
- Department of Epidemiology, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
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Candal-Pedreira C, Ruano-Ravina A, Rey-Brandariz J, Mourino N, Ravara S, Aguiar P, Pérez-Ríos M. Evolution and characterization of health sciences paper retractions in Brazil and Portugal. Account Res 2023; 30:725-742. [PMID: 35620976 DOI: 10.1080/08989621.2022.2080549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The retraction of health sciences publications is a growing concern. To understand the patterns in a particular country-context and design specific measures to address the problem, it is important to describe and characterize retractions. We aimed to assess the evolution of health science retractions in Brazil and Portugal and to describe their features. We conducted a cross-sectional study including all health sciences retracted articles with at least one author affiliated to a Portuguese or Brazilian institution identified through Retraction Watch database. A total of 182 retracted articles were identified. The number of retractions increased over time, but the proportion related to the whole of publications remained stable. A total of 50.0% and 60.8% of the Portuguese and Brazilian retracted articles, respectively, were published in first and second quartile journals. Scientific misconduct accounted for 60.1% and 55.9% of retractions in Brazil and Portugal. In both countries, the most frequent cause of misconduct was plagiarism. The time from publication to retraction decreases as the journal quartile increases. The retraction of health sciences articles did not decrease over time in Brazil and Portugal. There is a need to develop strategies aimed at preventing, monitoring and managing scientific misconduct according to the country context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Candal-Pedreira
- Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Alberto Ruano-Ravina
- Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública. CIBERESP, Spain
| | - Julia Rey-Brandariz
- Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Nerea Mourino
- Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Sofia Ravara
- Health Science Research Centre CICS-UBI, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
- Public Health Research Centre CISP, National School of Public Health (ENSP), Nova University Lisbon, Portugal
- Centro Hospitalar Universitàrio Cova de Beira (CHUCB), Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Pedro Aguiar
- Public Health Research Centre CISP, National School of Public Health (ENSP), Nova University Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mónica Pérez-Ríos
- Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública. CIBERESP, Spain
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Tang L, Wang L, Hu G. Research Misconduct Investigations in China's Science Funding System. SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING ETHICS 2023; 29:39. [PMID: 37991609 DOI: 10.1007/s11948-023-00459-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
As stewards of public money, government funding agencies have the obligation and responsibility to uphold the integrity of funded research. Despite an increasing amount of empirical studies examining research-related misconduct, a majority of these studies focus on retracted publications. How agencies spot funding-relevant wrongdoing and what sanctions the offenders face remain largely unexplored. This is particularly true for public funding agencies in emerging science powers. To amend this oversight, we retrieved and analyzed all publicized investigation results from China's largest basic research funding agency over the period from 2005 to 2021. Our findings reveal that both the "police patrol" and "fire alarm" approaches are used to identify misconduct and deter funding-related fraud in China. The principal triggers for investigations are journal article retractions, whistleblowing, and plagiarism detection software. Among the six funding-related misconduct types publicized and punished, the top three are: (1) fraudulent papers, (2) information fabrication and/or falsification in the research proposal, and (3) proposal plagiarism. The most common administrative sanctions are debarment and reclamation of grants. This article argues that more systematic research and cooperation among stakeholders is needed to cultivate research integrity in emerging science powers like China. Specific training and education should be provided for young scientists to help them avoid the pitfall of academic misconduct.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Tang
- School of International Relations and Public Affairs, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Linan Wang
- Shanghai Health Development Research Center, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Guangyuan Hu
- School of Public Economics and Administration, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, Shanghai, 200433, China.
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Hwang SY, Yon DK, Lee SW, Kim MS, Kim JY, Smith L, Koyanagi A, Solmi M, Carvalho AF, Kim E, Shin JI, Ioannidis JPA. Causes for Retraction in the Biomedical Literature: A Systematic Review of Studies of Retraction Notices. J Korean Med Sci 2023; 38:e333. [PMID: 37873630 PMCID: PMC10593599 DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2023.38.e333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many studies have evaluated the prevalence of different reasons for retraction in samples of retraction notices. We aimed to perform a systematic review of such empirical studies of retraction causes. METHODS The PubMed/MEDLINE database and the Embase database were searched in June 2023. Eligible studies were those containing sufficient data on the reasons for retraction across samples of examined retracted notices. RESULTS A 11,181 potentially eligible items were identified, and 43 studies of retractions were included in this systematic review. Studies limited to retraction notices of a specific subspecialty or country, journal/publication type are emerging since 2015. We noticed that the reasons for retraction are becoming more specific and more diverse. In a meta-analysis of 17 studies focused on different subspecialties, misconduct was responsible for 60% (95% confidence interval [CI], 53-67%) of all retractions while error and publication issues contributed to 17% (95% CI, 12-22%) and 9% (95% CI, 6-13%), respectively. The end year of the retraction period in all included studies and the proportion of misconduct presented a weak positive association (coefficient = 1.3% per year, P = 0.002). CONCLUSION Misconduct seems to be the most frequently recorded reason for retraction across empirical analyses of retraction notices, but other reasons are not negligible. Greater specificity of causes and standardization is needed in retraction notices.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dong Keon Yon
- Center for Digital Health, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seung Won Lee
- Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea
| | - Min Seo Kim
- Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences & Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | | | - Lee Smith
- Centre for Health Performance and Wellbeing, Anglia Ruskin University Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ai Koyanagi
- Research and Development Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERSAM, Barcelona, Spain
- ICREA, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marco Solmi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Mental Health, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), Clinical Epidemiology Program, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andre F Carvalho
- IMPACT - The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Barwon Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Eunyoung Kim
- Department of Health, Social and Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea
- The Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Industry Management, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea.
| | - Jae Il Shin
- Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- The Center for Medical Education Training and Professional Development, Yonsei Donggok Medical Education Institute, Seoul, Korea
- Severance Underwood Meta-Research Center, Institute of Convergence Science, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea .
| | - John P A Ioannidis
- Meta-Research Innovation Center at Stanford (METRICS) and Departments of Medicine, Epidemiology and Population Health, Biomedical Data Science, and Statistics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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Bakker CJ, Theis-Mahon N, Brown SJ, Zeegers MP. The relationship between methodological quality and the use of retracted publications in evidence syntheses. Syst Rev 2023; 12:168. [PMID: 37730590 PMCID: PMC10512544 DOI: 10.1186/s13643-023-02316-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence syntheses cite retracted publications. However, citation is not necessarily endorsement, as authors may be criticizing or refuting its findings. We investigated the sentiment of these citations-whether they were critical or supportive-and associations with the methodological quality of the evidence synthesis, reason for the retraction, and time between publication and retraction. METHODS Using a sample of 286 evidence syntheses containing 324 citations to retracted publications in the field of pharmacy, we used AMSTAR-2 to assess methodological quality. We used scite.ai and a human screener to determine citation sentiment. We conducted a Pearson's chi-square test to assess associations between citation sentiment, methodological quality, and reason for retraction, and one-way ANOVAs to investigate association between time, methodological quality, and citation sentiment. RESULTS Almost 70% of the evidence syntheses in our sample were of critically low quality. We found that these critically low-quality evidence syntheses were more associated with positive statements while high-quality evidence syntheses were more associated with negative citation of retracted publications. In our sample of 324 citations, 20.4% of citations to retracted publications noted that the publication had been retracted. CONCLUSION The association between high-quality evidence syntheses and recognition of a publication's retracted status may indicate that best practices are sufficient. However, the volume of critically low-quality evidence syntheses ultimately perpetuates the citation of retracted publications with no indication of their retracted status. Strengthening journal requirements around the quality of evidence syntheses may lessen the inappropriate citation of retracted publications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin J Bakker
- Dr. John Archer Library and Archives, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK, S4S 0A2, Canada.
- Department of Epidemiology, School for Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolisms, Care and Health Research Institute, Maastricht University Medical Center +, PO Box 616, 6200, MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Nicole Theis-Mahon
- Health Sciences Libraries, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Phillips-Wangensteen Building, 516 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Sarah Jane Brown
- Health Sciences Libraries, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Phillips-Wangensteen Building, 516 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Maurice P Zeegers
- Department of Epidemiology, School for Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolisms, Care and Health Research Institute, Maastricht University Medical Center +, PO Box 616, 6200, MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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7
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Li S, Xu W, Yin J. Cross-cultural differences in retracted publications of male and female from a global perspective. Scientometrics 2023; 128:3805-3826. [PMID: 37287880 PMCID: PMC10183084 DOI: 10.1007/s11192-023-04717-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this paper is threefold: (i) to identify the combinations of national culture dimensions that lead to high (or low) male or female retracted publications, (ii) to understand the role of personal trust as a relevant condition that combines with national culture dimensions to cause high (or low) male or female retraction, and (iii) to identify the differences in the configurations that lead to those outcomes. Based on framework of Hofstede's cross-cultural analysis and data from Hofstede Center, World Value, and Web of Science, this essay analyzes cultural complex causal relations between national culture and trust dimensions (conditions), and male and female retracted publications (outcomes) in 30 countries nationally and globally by fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis. This research provides three major insights: (i) Cultural dimensions (power distance, individualism, masculinity, uncertainty avoidance, long-term orientation) and trust are not necessary conditions for both male and female to cause retractions, (ii) different levels of personal trust (high/low) combine with national cultural dimensions in order to produce different configurations that can lead to high or low retractions, and (iii) Each gender causes retractions in a similar or identical way, but each also owns its unique way. Finally, we provide effective policy recommendations to specific countries based on our critical conclusions and discussions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shenghui Li
- School of Public Administration, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640 China
| | - Wenyan Xu
- School of Public Administration, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640 China
- South China University of Technology, Wushan Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, 510641 Guangdong China
| | - Jingqi Yin
- School of Sociology, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, 200233 China
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Abstract
Scientific retraction has been on the rise recently. Retracted papers are frequently discussed online, enabling the broad dissemination of potentially flawed findings. Our analysis spans a nearly 10-y period and reveals that most papers exhaust their attention by the time they get retracted, meaning that retractions cannot curb the online spread of problematic papers. This is striking as we also find that retracted papers are pervasive across mediums, receiving more attention after publication than nonretracted papers even on curated platforms, such as news outlets and knowledge repositories. Interestingly, discussions on social media express more criticism toward subsequently retracted results and may thus contain early signals related to unreliable work. Retracted papers often circulate widely on social media, digital news, and other websites before their official retraction. The spread of potentially inaccurate or misleading results from retracted papers can harm the scientific community and the public. Here, we quantify the amount and type of attention 3,851 retracted papers received over time in different online platforms. Comparing with a set of nonretracted control papers from the same journals with similar publication year, number of coauthors, and author impact, we show that retracted papers receive more attention after publication not only on social media but also, on heavily curated platforms, such as news outlets and knowledge repositories, amplifying the negative impact on the public. At the same time, we find that posts on Twitter tend to express more criticism about retracted than about control papers, suggesting that criticism-expressing tweets could contain factual information about problematic papers. Most importantly, around the time they are retracted, papers generate discussions that are primarily about the retraction incident rather than about research findings, showing that by this point, papers have exhausted attention to their results and highlighting the limited effect of retractions. Our findings reveal the extent to which retracted papers are discussed on different online platforms and identify at scale audience criticism toward them. In this context, we show that retraction is not an effective tool to reduce online attention to problematic papers.
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Horbach SPJM, Oude Maatman FJW, Halffman W, Hepkema WM. Automated citation recommendation tools encourage questionable citations. RESEARCH EVALUATION 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/reseval/rvac016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Citing practices have long been at the heart of scientific reporting, playing both socially and epistemically important functions in science. While such practices have been relatively stable over time, recent attempts to develop automated citation recommendation tools have the potential to drastically impact citing practices. We claim that, even though such tools may come with tempting advantages, their development and implementation should be conducted with caution. Describing the role of citations in science’s current publishing and social reward structures, we argue that automated citation tools encourage questionable citing practices. More specifically, we describe how such tools may lead to an increase in: perfunctory citation and sloppy argumentation; affirmation biases; and Matthew effects. In addition, a lack of transparency of the tools’ underlying algorithmic structure renders their usage problematic. Hence, we urge that the consequences of citation recommendation tools should at least be understood and assessed before any attempts to implementation or broad distribution are undertaken.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serge P J M Horbach
- Danish Centre for Studies in Research and Research Policy, Aarhus University , Bartholins Allé 7 , Aarhus C 8000, Denmark
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Centre for Science and Technology Studies (CWTS), Leiden University , Wassenaarseweg 62A , Leiden 2333 AL, The Netherlands
| | - Freek J W Oude Maatman
- Department of Philosophy of Behavioural Science, Faculty of Social Science, Radboud University Nijmegen ,Thomas van Aquinostraat 4, Nijmegen, 6500 HE, The Netherlands
- Department of Theoretical Philosophy, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Groningen , Oude Boteringestraat 52, Groningen, 9712 GL, The Netherlands
| | - Willem Halffman
- Institute for Science in Society, Radboud University Nijmegen , Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525AJ, The Netherlands
| | - Wytske M Hepkema
- Institute for Science in Society, Radboud University Nijmegen , Heyendaalseweg 135, Nijmegen, 6525AJ, The Netherlands
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Wang Z, Shi Q, Zhou Q, Zhao S, Hou R, Lu S, Gao X, Chen Y. Retracted systematic reviews were continued to be frequently cited: A Citation Analysis. J Clin Epidemiol 2022; 149:137-145. [PMID: 35636592 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2022.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To survey the citations of retracted non-Cochrane systematic reviews (SRs) in scientific literature . STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING We searched the Web of Science and Google Scholar from their inception to 30 April 2020 to find the citations of 153 previously identified retracted non-Cochrane SRs. We calculated the numbers of citations before and after retraction separately. We also described how the citation addressed the retraction and how it was used in the article. RESULTS A We identified 954 citations of 128 retracted SRs. The number of retracted SRs and citations reached the peak in 2014 and 2016, respectively, and the majority of the citations (n=580, 60.8%) were in articles published after the SR was retracted. The mean number of citation per retracted SRs was 7.5. 2.6 before and 4.5 after the publication of the retraction notice. Twenty-nine (5.0%) citations indicated the retraction of the SRs in the reference section. Nine of these citations supported the retracted SR's results, and 15 disagreed with them. CONCLUSION Retracted SRs continue to be cited after the publication of the retraction notice. Standardized methods are needed to guide the management of retractions and avoid inappropriate citations of retracted articles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijun Wang
- Evidence-based Medicine Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Qianling Shi
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Qi Zhou
- Evidence-based Medicine Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Siya Zhao
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ruizhen Hou
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Shuya Lu
- Department of Pediatric, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China; Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Xia Gao
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yaolong Chen
- Evidence-based Medicine Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China; Research Unit of Evidence-Based Evaluation and Guidelines, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU017), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University Lanzhou, China; Lanzhou University Institute of Health Data Science, Lanzhou, China; WHO Collaborating Center for Guideline Implementation and Knowledge Translation, Lanzhou, China; Guideline International Network Asia, Lanzhou, China; Chinese GRADE Center, Lanzhou, China.
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11
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Correction of the Scientific Production: Publisher Performance Evaluation Using a Dataset of 4844 PubMed Retractions. PUBLICATIONS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/publications10020018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background. Retraction of problematic scientific articles after publication is one of the mechanisms for correcting the literature available to publishers. The market volume and the business model justify publishers’ ethical involvement in the post-publication quality control (PPQC) of human-health-related articles. The limited information about this subject led us to analyze PubMed-retracted articles and the main retraction reasons grouped by publisher. We propose a score to appraise publisher’s PPQC results. The dataset used for this article consists of 4844 PubMed-retracted papers published between 1.01.2009 and 31.12.2020. Methods. An SDTP score was constructed from the dataset. The calculation formula includes several parameters: speed (article exposure time (ET)), detection rate (percentage of articles whose retraction is initiated by the editor/publisher/institution without the authors’ participation), transparency (percentage of retracted articles available online and the clarity of the retraction notes), and precision (mention of authors’ responsibility and percentage of retractions for reasons other than editorial errors). Results. The 4844 retracted articles were published in 1767 journals by 366 publishers, the average number of retracted articles/journal being 2.74. Forty-five publishers have more than 10 retracted articles, holding 88% of all papers and 79% of journals. Combining our data with data from another study shows that less than 7% of PubMed dataset journals retracted at least one article. Only 10.5% of the retraction notes included the individual responsibility of the authors. Nine of the top 11 publishers had the largest number of retracted articles in 2020. Retraction-reason analysis shows considerable differences between publishers concerning the articles’ ET: median values between 9 and 43 months (mistakes), 9 and 73 months (images), and 10 and 42 months (plagiarism and overlap). The SDTP score shows, from 2018 to 2020, an improvement in PPQC of four publishers in the top 11 and a decrease in the gap between 1st and 11th place. The group of the other 355 publishers also has a positive evolution of the SDTP score. Conclusions. Publishers have to get involved actively and measurably in the post-publication evaluation of scientific products. The introduction of reporting standards for retraction notes and replicable indicators for quantifying publishing QC can help increase the overall quality of scientific literature.
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Swire-Thompson B, Lazer D. Reducing Health Misinformation in Science: A Call to Arms. THE ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF POLITICAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCE 2022; 700:124-135. [PMID: 37936790 PMCID: PMC10629927 DOI: 10.1177/00027162221087686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
The public often turns to science for accurate health information, which, in an ideal world, would be error free. However, limitations of scientific institutions and scientific processes can sometimes amplify misinformation and disinformation. The current review examines four mechanisms through which this occurs: (1) predatory journals that accept publications for monetary gain but do not engage in rigorous peer review; (2) pseudoscientists who provide scientific-sounding information but whose advice is inaccurate, unfalsifiable, or inconsistent with the scientific method; (3) occasions when legitimate scientists spread misinformation or disinformation; and (4) miscommunication of science by the media and other communicators. We characterize this article as a "call to arms," given the urgent need for the scientific information ecosystem to improve. Improvements are necessary to maintain the public's trust in science, foster robust discourse, and encourage a well-educated citizenry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Briony Swire-Thompson
- senior research scientist and director of the Psychology of Misinformation Lab at Northeastern University
| | - David Lazer
- professor of political science and computer sciences at Northeastern University
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Errington TM, Denis A, Perfito N, Iorns E, Nosek BA. Challenges for assessing replicability in preclinical cancer biology. eLife 2021. [DOI: 10.10.7554/elife.67995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We conducted the Reproducibility Project: Cancer Biology to investigate the replicability of preclinical research in cancer biology. The initial aim of the project was to repeat 193 experiments from 53 high-impact papers, using an approach in which the experimental protocols and plans for data analysis had to be peer reviewed and accepted for publication before experimental work could begin. However, the various barriers and challenges we encountered while designing and conducting the experiments meant that we were only able to repeat 50 experiments from 23 papers. Here we report these barriers and challenges. First, many original papers failed to report key descriptive and inferential statistics: the data needed to compute effect sizes and conduct power analyses was publicly accessible for just 4 of 193 experiments. Moreover, despite contacting the authors of the original papers, we were unable to obtain these data for 68% of the experiments. Second, none of the 193 experiments were described in sufficient detail in the original paper to enable us to design protocols to repeat the experiments, so we had to seek clarifications from the original authors. While authors were extremely or very helpful for 41% of experiments, they were minimally helpful for 9% of experiments, and not at all helpful (or did not respond to us) for 32% of experiments. Third, once experimental work started, 67% of the peer-reviewed protocols required modifications to complete the research and just 41% of those modifications could be implemented. Cumulatively, these three factors limited the number of experiments that could be repeated. This experience draws attention to a basic and fundamental concern about replication – it is hard to assess whether reported findings are credible.
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Errington TM, Denis A, Perfito N, Iorns E, Nosek BA. Challenges for assessing replicability in preclinical cancer biology. eLife 2021; 10:e67995. [PMID: 34874008 PMCID: PMC8651289 DOI: 10.7554/elife.67995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
We conducted the Reproducibility Project: Cancer Biology to investigate the replicability of preclinical research in cancer biology. The initial aim of the project was to repeat 193 experiments from 53 high-impact papers, using an approach in which the experimental protocols and plans for data analysis had to be peer reviewed and accepted for publication before experimental work could begin. However, the various barriers and challenges we encountered while designing and conducting the experiments meant that we were only able to repeat 50 experiments from 23 papers. Here we report these barriers and challenges. First, many original papers failed to report key descriptive and inferential statistics: the data needed to compute effect sizes and conduct power analyses was publicly accessible for just 4 of 193 experiments. Moreover, despite contacting the authors of the original papers, we were unable to obtain these data for 68% of the experiments. Second, none of the 193 experiments were described in sufficient detail in the original paper to enable us to design protocols to repeat the experiments, so we had to seek clarifications from the original authors. While authors were extremely or very helpful for 41% of experiments, they were minimally helpful for 9% of experiments, and not at all helpful (or did not respond to us) for 32% of experiments. Third, once experimental work started, 67% of the peer-reviewed protocols required modifications to complete the research and just 41% of those modifications could be implemented. Cumulatively, these three factors limited the number of experiments that could be repeated. This experience draws attention to a basic and fundamental concern about replication - it is hard to assess whether reported findings are credible.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Brian A Nosek
- Center for Open ScienceCharlottesvilleUnited States
- University of VirginiaCharlottesvilleUnited States
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Capriotti MR, Donaldson JM. "Why don't behavior analysts do something?" 1 Behavior analysts' historical, present, and potential future actions on sexual and gender minority issues. J Appl Behav Anal 2021; 55:19-39. [PMID: 34633066 DOI: 10.1002/jaba.884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
For thousands of years, societies actively practiced the oppression, persecution, and dehumanization of sexual and gender minority (SGM) people (e.g., lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals). Rekers and Lovaas' (1974) study is part of that history within behavior analysis. Following requests for retraction, the Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior and LeBlanc (2020) issued a formal Expression of Concern about the work. Continued conversation and debate have followed. First, we contextualize debate around retraction of Rekers and Lovaas and the history of behavior analysts' work on SGM issues. Second, we propose 5 steps that leaders in behavior analysis can take with relative immediacy, and we describe 5 research areas that individual behavior analysts could pursue. We conclude that behavior analysts can contribute much toward the liberation of SGM individuals if we begin to bring our science to bear on pressing, socially significant issues facing SGM communities.
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Shah TA, Gul S, Bashir S, Ahmad S, Huertas A, Oliveira A, Gulzar F, Najar AH, Chakraborty K. Influence of accessibility (open and toll-based) of scholarly publications on retractions. Scientometrics 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11192-021-03990-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Lievore C, Rubbo P, Dos Santos CB, Picinin CT, Pilatti LA. Research ethics: a profile of retractions from world class universities. Scientometrics 2021; 126:6871-6889. [PMID: 34054160 PMCID: PMC8141102 DOI: 10.1007/s11192-021-03987-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to profile the scientific retractions published in journals indexed in the Web of Science database from 2010 to 2019, from researchers at the top 20 World Class Universities according to the Times Higher Education global ranking of 2020. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and simple linear regression were used to analyze the data. Of the 330 analyzed retractions, Harvard University had the highest number of retractions and the main reason for retraction was data results. We conclude that the universities with a higher ranking tend to have a lower rate of retraction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Lievore
- Federal University of Technology - Paraná (UTFPR), Ponta Grossa, Brazil
| | - Priscila Rubbo
- Federal University of Technology - Paraná (UTFPR), Ponta Grossa, Brazil
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Madhugiri VS, Nagella AB, Uppar AM. An analysis of retractions in neurosurgery and allied clinical and basic science specialties. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2021; 163:19-30. [PMID: 33064200 PMCID: PMC7562691 DOI: 10.1007/s00701-020-04615-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As the volume of scientific publications increases, the rate of retraction of published papers is also likely to increase. In the present study, we report the characteristics of retracted papers from clinical neurosurgery and allied clinical and basic science specialties. METHODS Retracted papers were identified using two separate search strategies on PubMed. Attributes of the retracted papers were collected from PubMed and the Retraction Watch database. The reasons for retraction were analyzed. The factors that correlated with time to retraction were identified. Detailed citation analysis for the retracted papers was performed. The retraction rates for neurosurgery journals were computed. RESULTS A total of 191 retractions were identified; 55% pertained to clinical neurosurgery. The most common reasons for retraction were plagiarism, duplication, and compromised peer review. The countries associated with the highest number of retractions were China, USA, and Japan. The full text of the retraction notice was not available for 11% of the papers. A median of 50% of all citations received by the papers occurred after retraction. The factors that correlated with a longer time to retraction included basic science category, the number of collaborating departments, and the H-index of the journal. The overall rate of retractions in neurosurgery journals was 0.037%. CONCLUSIONS The retraction notice needs to be freely available on all search engines. Plagiarism checks and reference checks prior to publication of papers (to ensure no retracted papers have been cited) must be mandatory. Mandatory data deposition would help overcome issues with data and results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venkatesh S Madhugiri
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, 560029, India.
| | - Amrutha Bindu Nagella
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bangalore, 560001, India
| | - Alok Mohan Uppar
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, 560029, India
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Kamali N, Talebi Bezmin Abadi A, Rahimi F. Plagiarism, Fake Peer-Review, and Duplication: Predominant Reasons Underlying Retractions of Iran-Affiliated Scientific Papers. SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING ETHICS 2020; 26:3455-3463. [PMID: 33146787 DOI: 10.1007/s11948-020-00274-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Retractions of scientific papers published by some Iran-affiliated scientists in the preceding decade have attracted much attention and publicity; however, the reasons for these retractions have not been documented. We searched the Retraction Watch Database to enumerate the retracted Iran-affiliated papers from December 2001 to December 2019 and aimed to outline the predominant reasons for retractions. The reasons included fake peer-review, authorship dispute, fabricated data, plagiarism, conflict of interest, erroneous data, and duplication. The Fisher's exact test was used to investigate the associations between retractions and their underlying reasons. We selected P < 0.05 to indicate the statistically significant differences. We found 697 retracted papers. Duplication (27%), plagiarism (26%), and fake peer-review (21%) were the most frequent reasons for retractions. Our study highlights the importance of urgent intervention to prevent the misconduct and questionable research practices that lead to retractions in Iran. Continually educating the scientists and postgraduate students about the ethics and norms of scientific publishing is an important measure to ensure publication of reliable, worthy, and impactful papers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Negin Kamali
- Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, 25529, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amin Talebi Bezmin Abadi
- Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, 25529, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Farid Rahimi
- Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
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Nagella AB, Madhugiri VS. Journal Retraction Rates and Citation Metrics: An Ouroboric Association? Cureus 2020; 12:e11542. [PMID: 33365211 PMCID: PMC7748576 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.11542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Retraction of published papers has a far-reaching impact on the scientific world, especially if the retracted papers were published in high-impact journals. Although it has been noted that the retraction rates of journals correlated with their citation metrics, no conclusive data were available for most clinical specialties. In this study, we determined the retraction rate for anesthesia and two comparison groups (neurosurgery and high impact clinical journals). We then studied the correlation of the retraction rate with citation metrics. Methods We generated a list of all anesthesia journals that were indexed in the National Library of Medicine database. We obtained the number of papers published in each journal as well as the number of papers retracted from each. We also collated the Impact Factor® and H-index of each journal. The same methodology was followed for neurosurgery and high impact clinical journals. We then studied the correlations between the retraction rate and citation metrics of each journal. Results The retraction index was 2.59 for anesthesiology, 0.66 for neurosurgery and 0.75 for the high-impact clinical journals group. The retraction rate did not correlate with the citation metrics. However, the number of papers published in each journal and the absolute number of retractions showed a positive correlation with the citation metrics. The H-index showed stronger correlations with these parameters than the Impact factor. Conclusions The number of retractions increased in proportion to both the number of papers published in a journal and the citation metrics of that journal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrutha B Nagella
- Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bangalore, IND
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Candal-Pedreira C, Ruano-Ravina A, Fernández E, Ramos J, Campos-Varela I, Pérez-Ríos M. Does retraction after misconduct have an impact on citations? A pre-post study. BMJ Glob Health 2020; 5:bmjgh-2020-003719. [PMID: 33187964 PMCID: PMC7668300 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Retracted articles continue to be cited after retraction, and this could have consequences for the scientific community and general population alike. This study was conducted to analyse the association of retraction on citations received by retracted papers due to misconduct using two-time frames: during a postretraction period equivalent to the time the article had been in print before retraction; and during the total postretraction period. Methods Quasiexperimental, pre–post evaluation study. A total of 304 retracted original articles and literature reviews indexed in MEDLINE fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Articles were required to have been published in a journal indexed in MEDLINE from January 2013 through December 2015 and been retracted between January 2014 and December 2016. The main outcome was the number of citations received before and after retraction. Results were broken down by journal quartile according to impact factor and the most cited papers during the preretraction period were specifically analysed. Results There was an increase in postretraction citations when compared with citations received preretraction. There were some exceptions however: first, citations received by articles published in first-quartile journals decreased immediately after retraction (p<0.05), only to increase again after some time had elapsed; and second, postretraction citations decreased significantly in the case of articles that had received many citations before their retraction (p<0.05). Conclusions The results indicate that retraction of articles has no association on citations in the long term, since the retracted articles continue to be cited, thus circumventing their retraction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Candal-Pedreira
- Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
| | - Alberto Ruano-Ravina
- Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain .,CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública, CIBERESP, Spain, Madrid, Spain.,Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela - IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Esteve Fernández
- Tobacco Control Unit, WHO Collaborating Centre for Tobacco Control, Institut Català d'Oncologia-ICO, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain.,Consortium for Biomedical Research in Respitarory Diseases, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorge Ramos
- Grupo de Investigación Navarra Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Fundación Universitaria Navarra - UNINAVARRA, Neiva, Colombia
| | - Isabel Campos-Varela
- Liver Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Vall d'Hebron University Teaching Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain.,Consortium for Biomedical Research in Hepatic and Digestive Diseases, CIBEREHD, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mónica Pérez-Ríos
- Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.,CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública, CIBERESP, Spain, Madrid, Spain.,Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela - IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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Dal-Ré R, Ayuso C. For how long and with what relevance do genetics articles retracted due to research misconduct remain active in the scientific literature. Account Res 2020; 28:280-296. [PMID: 33124464 DOI: 10.1080/08989621.2020.1835479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
We aimed to quantify the number of pre- and post-retraction citations obtained by genetics articles retracted due to research misconduct. All retraction notices available in the Retraction Watch database for genetics articles published in 1970-2016 were assessed. The reasons for retraction were fabrication/falsification and plagiarism. The endpoints were the number of citations of retracted articles and when and how journals reported on retractions and whether this was published on PubMed.Four hundred and sixty retracted genetics articles were cited 34,487 times; 7,945 (23%) were post-retraction citations. Median time to retraction and time to last citation were 3.2 and 3 years, respectively. Most (96%) had a PubMed retraction notice, One percent of these were totally removed from journal websites altogether, and 4% had no information available on either the online or PDF versions. Ninety percent of citations were from articles retracted due to falsification/fabrication. The percentage of post-retraction citations was significantly higher in the case of plagiarism (42%) than in the case of fabrication/falsification (21.5%) (p<0.001). Median time to retraction was shorter (1.3 years) in the case of plagiarism than for fabrication/falsification (4.8 years, p<0.001). The retraction was more frequently reported in the PDFs (70%) for the fabrication/falsification cases than for the plagiarism cases (43%, p<0.001). The highest rate of retracted papers due to falsification/fabrication was among authors in the USA, and the highest rate for plagiarism was in China.Although most retractions were appropriately handled by journals, the gravest issue was that median time to retraction for articles retracted for falsification/fabrication was nearly 5 years, earning close to 6800 post-retraction citations. Journals should implement processes to speed-up the retraction process that will help to minimize post-retraction citations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Dal-Ré
- Epidemiology Unit, Health Research Institute-Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Ayuso
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Health Research Institute-Fundación Jiménez Díaz University Hospital, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, (IIS-FJD, UAM), Madrid, Spain.,Center for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
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Schneider J, Ye D, Hill AM, Whitehorn AS. Continued post-retraction citation of a fraudulent clinical trial report, 11 years after it was retracted for falsifying data. Scientometrics 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11192-020-03631-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThis paper presents a case study of long-term post-retraction citation to falsified clinical trial data (Matsuyama et al. in Chest 128(6):3817–3827, 2005. 10.1378/chest.128.6.3817), demonstrating problems with how the current digital library environment communicates retraction status. Eleven years after its retraction, the paper continues to be cited positively and uncritically to support a medical nutrition intervention, without mention of its 2008 retraction for falsifying data. To date no high quality clinical trials reporting on the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids on reducing inflammatory markers have been published. Our paper uses network analysis, citation context analysis, and retraction status visibility analysis to illustrate the potential for extended propagation of misinformation over a citation network, updating and extending a case study of the first 6 years of post-retraction citation (Fulton et al. in Publications 3(1):7–26, 2015. 10.3390/publications3010017). The current study covers 148 direct citations from 2006 through 2019 and their 2542 second-generation citations and assesses retraction status visibility of the case study paper and its retraction notice on 12 digital platforms as of 2020. The retraction is not mentioned in 96% (107/112) of direct post-retraction citations for which we were able to conduct citation context analysis. Over 41% (44/107) of direct post-retraction citations that do not mention the retraction describe the case study paper in detail, giving a risk of diffusing misinformation from the case paper. We analyze 152 second-generation citations to the most recent 35 direct citations (2010–2019) that do not mention the retraction but do mention methods or results of the case paper, finding 23 possible diffusions of misinformation from these non-direct citations to the case paper. Link resolving errors from databases show a significant challenge in a reader reaching the retraction notice via a database search. Only 1/8 databases (and 1/9 database records) consistently resolved the retraction notice to its full-text correctly in our tests. Although limited to evaluation of a single case (N = 1), this work demonstrates how retracted research can continue to spread and how the current information environment contributes to this problem.
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Higgins WC, Rogers WA, Ballantyne A, Lipworth W. Against the use and publication of contemporary unethical research: the case of Chinese transplant research. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ETHICS 2020; 46:678-684. [PMID: 32611619 DOI: 10.1136/medethics-2019-106044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Recent calls for retraction of a large body of Chinese transplant research and of Dr Jiankui He's gene editing research has led to renewed interest in the question of publication, retraction and use of unethical biomedical research. In Part 1 of this paper, we briefly review the now well-established consequentialist and deontological arguments for and against the use of unethical research. We argue that, while there are potentially compelling justifications for use under some circumstances, these justifications fail when unethical practices are ongoing-as in the case of research involving transplantations in which organs have been procured unethically from executed prisoners. Use of such research displays a lack of respect and concern for the victims and undermines efforts to deter unethical practices. Such use also creates moral taint and renders those who use the research complicit in continuing harm. In Part 2, we distinguish three dimensions of 'non-use' of unethical research: non-use of published unethical research, non-publication, and retraction and argue that all three types of non-use should be upheld in the case of Chinese transplant research. Publishers have responsibilities to not publish contemporary unethical biomedical research, and where this has occurred, to retract publications. Failure to retract the papers implicitly condones the research, while uptake of the research through citations rewards researchers and ongoing circulation of the data in the literature facilitates subsequent use by researchers, policymakers and clinicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy C Higgins
- Department of Philosophy, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Wendy A Rogers
- Department of Philosophy, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Angela Ballantyne
- Centre for Biomedical Ethics, National University of Singapore; and Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice [Wellington], and Bioethics Centre [Dunedin], University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Wendy Lipworth
- Sydney Health Ethics, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Vuong Q. The limitations of retraction notices and the heroic acts of authors who correct the scholarly record: An analysis of retractions of papers published from 1975 to 2019. LEARNED PUBLISHING 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/leap.1282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Quan‐Hoang Vuong
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Social ResearchPhenikaa University Yen Nghia, Ha Dong District, Hanoi 100803 Vietnam
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Suelzer EM, Deal J, Hanus KL, Ruggeri B, Sieracki R, Witkowski E. Assessment of Citations of the Retracted Article by Wakefield et al With Fraudulent Claims of an Association Between Vaccination and Autism. JAMA Netw Open 2019; 2:e1915552. [PMID: 31730183 PMCID: PMC6902803 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.15552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance The number of citations can be used to show the influence of an article or to measure the validity of a research study. The article by Wakefield et al that fraudulently reported an association between vaccination and autism continues to accumulate citations even after it was retracted. Objectives To examine the characteristics of citations from scholarly literature that reference the 1998 article by Wakefield et al and to investigate whether authors are accurately citing retracted references. Design, Setting, and Participants In this cross-sectional bibliographic analysis of the scholarly publications that cited a 1998 article by Wakefield et al, cited references were collected from a Web of Science Core Collection search performed on March 11, 2019. A total of 1211 articles were identified, with 58 citing works excluded because they were non-English-language publications or the citation to the study by Wakefield et al could not be located by reviewers. Citing works consisted of books, research articles, letters, editorials, news items, and other scholarly literature. Citations to the article by Wakefield et al were identified and analyzed by 2 reviewers in a blinded screening. Reviewers assigned a characteristic to each citation and indicated whether the retraction was documented. Main Outcomes and Measures The characteristics of citations to the article by Wakefield et al, were categorized as negative, affirmative, or contrastive; if not, persuasive; and if not, assumptive, perfunctory, methodologic, or conceptual. Whether the partial retraction or notice of retraction was included in the citing work was also documented. Results Among the 1153 citing works included in this analysis, the most common citation characteristics were negative (838 [72.7%]) followed by perfunctory (106 [9.2%]) and affirmative (94 [8.2%]). A total of 123 of 322 citing works (38.2%) published between 2005 and 2010 documented the partial retraction. After the notice of retraction was published in 2010, the percentage of citing works that documented the partial retraction and/or notice of retraction between 2011 and 2018 increased to 360 of 502 (71.7%). Conclusions and Relevance Since the article by Wakefield et al was initially published, authors have mostly negated the findings of the study. A significant number of authors did not document retractions of the article by Wakefield et al. The findings suggest that improvements are needed from publishers, bibliographic databases, and citation management software to ensure that retracted articles are accurately documented.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jennifer Deal
- Ziebert Medical Library, Advocate Aurora West Allis Medical Center, West Allis, Wisconsin
| | - Karen L. Hanus
- Medical College of Wisconsin Libraries, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
| | | | - Rita Sieracki
- Medical College of Wisconsin Libraries, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
| | - Elizabeth Witkowski
- Medical College of Wisconsin Libraries, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
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Hamilton DG. Continued Citation of Retracted Radiation Oncology Literature—Do We Have a Problem? Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2019; 103:1036-1042. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2018.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Mena JD, Ndoye M, Cohen AJ, Kamal P, Breyer BN. The landscape of urological retractions: the prevalence of reported research misconduct. BJU Int 2019; 124:174-179. [DOI: 10.1111/bju.14706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jorge D. Mena
- Department of Urology; University of California-San Francisco; San Francisco CA USA
| | - Medina Ndoye
- Department of Urology; University of California-San Francisco; San Francisco CA USA
| | - Andrew J. Cohen
- Department of Urology; University of California-San Francisco; San Francisco CA USA
| | - Puneet Kamal
- Department of Urology; University of California-San Francisco; San Francisco CA USA
| | - Benjamin N. Breyer
- Department of Urology; University of California-San Francisco; San Francisco CA USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology; University of California-San Francisco; San Francisco CA USA
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Rubbo P, Pilatti LA, Picinin CT. Citation of Retracted Articles in Engineering: A Study of the Web of Science Database. ETHICS & BEHAVIOR 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/10508422.2018.1559064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Priscila Rubbo
- Production Engineering, Federal University of Technology – Paraná (UTFPR)
- Production Engineering, UTFPR
- Department of Accounting Sciences, Federal University of Technology – Paraná (UTFPR)
| | - Luiz Alberto Pilatti
- Education, Post-Graduate Program in Technology and Science Teaching, Federal University of Technology - Paraná (UTFPR)
- Scholarship in Research Productivity, CNPq
| | - Claudia Tania Picinin
- Administration, Post-Graduate Program in Production Engineering, Federal University of Technology – Paraná (UTFPR)
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Horbach SPJM, Halffman W. The ability of different peer review procedures to flag problematic publications. Scientometrics 2018; 118:339-373. [PMID: 30930504 PMCID: PMC6404393 DOI: 10.1007/s11192-018-2969-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
There is a mounting worry about erroneous and outright fraudulent research that gets published in the scientific literature. Although peer review’s ability to filter out such publications is contentious, several peer review innovations attempt to do just that. However, there is very little systematic evidence documenting the ability of different review procedures to flag problematic publications. In this article, we use survey data on peer review in a wide range of journals to compare the retraction rates of specific review procedures, using the Retraction Watch database. We were able to identify which peer review procedures were used since 2000 for 361 journals, publishing a total of 833,172 articles, of which 670 were retracted. After addressing the dual character of retractions, signalling both a failure to identify problems prior to publication, but also the willingness to correct mistakes, we empirically assess review procedures. With considerable conceptual caveats, we were able to identify peer review procedures that seem able to detect problematic research better than others. Results were verified for disciplinary differences and variation between reasons for retraction. This leads to informed recommendations for journal editors about strengths and weaknesses of specific peer review procedures, allowing them to select review procedures that address issues most relevant to their field.
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Affiliation(s)
- S P J M Horbach
- 1Institute for Science in Society, Faculty of Science, Radboud University, P.O. box 9010, 6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,2Centre for Science and Technology Studies (CWTS), Faculty of Social Sciences, Leiden University, Wassenaarseweg 62A, 2333 AL Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - W Halffman
- 1Institute for Science in Society, Faculty of Science, Radboud University, P.O. box 9010, 6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Schmidt M. An analysis of the validity of retraction annotation in pubmed and the web of science. J Assoc Inf Sci Technol 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/asi.23913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marion Schmidt
- Deutsches Zentrum für Hochschul- und Wissenschaftsforschung GmbH (DZHW); German Centre for Higher Education Research and Science Studies (DZHW), Schützenstraße 6a; Berlin 10117 Germany
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Rubbo P, Helmann CL, Bilynkievycz dos Santos C, Pilatti LA. Retractions in the Engineering Field: A Study on the Web of Science Database. ETHICS & BEHAVIOR 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/10508422.2017.1390667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Priscila Rubbo
- Department of Production Engineering,Federal University of Technology – Paraná
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Hesselmann F, Graf V, Schmidt M, Reinhart M. The visibility of scientific misconduct: A review of the literature on retracted journal articles. CURRENT SOCIOLOGY. LA SOCIOLOGIE CONTEMPORAINE 2017; 65:814-845. [PMID: 28943647 PMCID: PMC5600261 DOI: 10.1177/0011392116663807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Retractions of scientific articles are becoming the most relevant institution for making sense of scientific misconduct. An increasing number of retracted articles, mainly attributed to misconduct, is currently providing a new empirical basis for research about scientific misconduct. This article reviews the relevant research literature from an interdisciplinary context. Furthermore, the results from these studies are contextualized sociologically by asking how scientific misconduct is made visible through retractions. This study treats retractions as an emerging institution that renders scientific misconduct visible, thus, following up on the sociology of deviance and its focus on visibility. The article shows that retractions, by highlighting individual cases of misconduct and general policies for preventing misconduct while obscuring the actors and processes through which retractions are effected, produce highly fragmented patterns of visibility. These patterns resemble the bifurcation in current justice systems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Verena Graf
- German Centre for Higher Education Research and Science Studies (DZHW), Germany
| | - Marion Schmidt
- German Centre for Higher Education Research and Science Studies (DZHW), Germany
| | - Martin Reinhart
- Martin Reinhart, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Social Sciences, Unter den Linden 6, 10099 Berlin, Germany.
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Vaught M, Jordan DC, Bastian H. Concern noted: A descriptive study of editorial expressions of concern in PubMed and PubMed Central. Res Integr Peer Rev 2017; 2:10. [PMID: 28758029 PMCID: PMC5526611 DOI: 10.1186/s41073-017-0030-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND An editorial expression of concern (EEoC) is issued by editors or publishers to draw attention to potential problems in a publication, without itself constituting a retraction or correction. METHODS We searched PubMed, PubMed Central (PMC), and Google Scholar to identify EEoCs issued for publications in PubMed and PMC up to 22 August 2016. We also searched the archives of the Retraction Watch blog, some journal and publisher websites, and studies of EEoCs. In addition, we searched for retractions of EEoCs and affected articles in PubMed up to 8 December 2016. We analyzed overall historical trends, as well as reported reasons and subsequent editorial actions related to EEoCs issued between August 2014 and August 2016. RESULTS After screening 5,076 records, we identified 230 EEoCs that affect 300 publications indexed in PubMed, the earliest issued in 1985. Half of the primary EEoCs were issued between 2014 and 2016 (52%). We found evidence of some EEoCs that had been removed by the publisher without leaving a record and some were not submitted for PubMed or PMC indexing. A minority of publications affected by EEoCs had been retracted by early December 2016 (25%). For the subset of 92 EEoCs issued between August 2014 and August 2016, affecting 99 publications, the rate of retraction was similar (29%). The majority of EEoCs were issued because of concerns with validity of data, methods, or interpretation of the publication (68%), and 31% of cases remained open. Issues with images were raised in 40% of affected publications. Ongoing monitoring after the study identified another 17 EEoCs to year's end in 2016, increasing the number of EEoCs to 247 and publications in PubMed known to be affected by EEoCs to 320 at the end of 2016. CONCLUSIONS EEoCs have been rare publishing events in the biomedical literature, but their use has been increasing. Most have not led to retractions, and many remain unresolved. Lack of prominence and inconsistencies in management of EEoCs reduce the ability of these notices to alert the scientific community to potentially serious problems in publications. EEoCs will be made identifiable in PubMed in 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Vaught
- PubMed Commons, National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Diana C. Jordan
- PubMed Commons, National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Hilda Bastian
- PubMed Commons, National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
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Shuai X, Rollins J, Moulinier I, Custis T, Edmunds M, Schilder F. A Multidimensional Investigation of the Effects of Publication Retraction on Scholarly Impact. J Assoc Inf Sci Technol 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/asi.23826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Shuai
- Research & Development Group, Thomson Reuters; 610 Opperman Dr. St. Paul MN 55123
| | - Jason Rollins
- Clarivate Analytics; 50 California St. San Francisco CA 94111
| | - Isabelle Moulinier
- Research & Development Group, Thomson Reuters; 610 Opperman Dr. St. Paul MN 55123
| | - Tonya Custis
- Research & Development Group, Thomson Reuters; 610 Opperman Dr. St. Paul MN 55123
| | - Mathilda Edmunds
- Clarivate Analytics; 1500 Spring Garden St. Philadelphia PA 19130
| | - Frank Schilder
- Research & Development Group, Thomson Reuters; 610 Opperman Dr. St. Paul MN 55123
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Abstract
This study examines the nature of citations to articles that were retracted in 2014. Out of 987 retracted articles found in ScienceDirect, an Elsevier full text database, we selected all articles that received more than 10 citations between January 2015 and March 2016. Since the retraction year was known for only about 83% of the retracted articles, we chose to concentrate on recent citations, that for certain appeared after the cited paper was retracted. Overall, we analyzed 238 citing documents and identified the context of each citation as positive, negative or neutral. Our results show that the vast majority of citations to retracted articles are positive despite of the clear retraction notice on the publisher's platform and regardless of the reason for retraction. Positive citations can be also seen to articles that were retracted due to ethical misconduct, data fabrication and false reports. In light of these results, we listed some recommendations for publishers that could potentially minimize the referral to retracted studies as valid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Bar-Ilan
- Department of Information Science, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Gali Halevi
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY USA
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Bornemann-Cimenti H, Szilagyi IS, Sandner-Kiesling A. Perpetuation of Retracted Publications Using the Example of the Scott S. Reuben Case: Incidences, Reasons and Possible Improvements. SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING ETHICS 2016; 22:1063-1072. [PMID: 26150092 DOI: 10.1007/s11948-015-9680-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Accepted: 06/29/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
In 2009, Scott S. Reuben was convicted of fabricating data, which lead to 25 of his publications being retracted. Although it is clear that the perpetuation of retracted articles negatively effects the appraisal of evidence, the extent to which retracted literature is cited had not previously been investigated. In this study, to better understand the perpetuation of discredited research, we examine the number of citations of Reuben's articles within 5 years of their retraction. Citations of Reuben's retracted articles were assessed using the Web of Science Core Collection (Thomson Reuters, NY). All citing articles were screened to discriminate between articles in which Reuben's work was quoted as retracted, and articles in which his data was wrongly cited without any note of the retraction status. Twenty of Reuben's publications had been cited 274 times between 2009 and 1024. In 2014, 45 % of the retracted articles had been cited at least once. In only 25.8 % of citing articles was it clearly stated that Reuben's work had been retracted. Annual citations decreased from 108 in 2009 to 18 in 2014; however, the percentage of publications correctly indicating the retraction status also declined. The percentage of citations in top-25 %-journals, as well as the percentage of citations in journals from Reuben's research area, declined sharply after 2009. Our data show that even 5 years after their retraction, nearly half of Reuben's articles are still being quoted and the retraction status is correctly mentioned in only one quarter of the citations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helmar Bornemann-Cimenti
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 29, 8036, Graz, Austria.
| | - Istvan S Szilagyi
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 29, 8036, Graz, Austria
| | - Andreas Sandner-Kiesling
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 29, 8036, Graz, Austria
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van der Vet PE, Nijveen H. Propagation of errors in citation networks: a study involving the entire citation network of a widely cited paper published in, and later retracted from, the journal Nature. Res Integr Peer Rev 2016; 1:3. [PMID: 29451542 PMCID: PMC5793988 DOI: 10.1186/s41073-016-0008-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2015] [Accepted: 03/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In about one in 10,000 cases, a published article is retracted. This very often means that the results it reports are flawed. Several authors have voiced concerns about the presence of retracted research in the memory of science. In particular, a retracted result is propagated by citing it. In the published literature, many instances are given of retracted articles that are cited both before and after their retraction. Even worse is the possibility that these articles in turn are cited in such a way that the retracted result is propagated further. METHODS We have conducted a case study to find out how a retracted article is cited and whether retracted results are propagated through indirect citations. We have constructed the entire citation network for this case. RESULTS We show that directly citing articles is an important source of propagation of retracted research results. In contrast, in our case study, indirect citations do not contribute to the propagation of the retracted result. CONCLUSIONS While admitting the limitations of a study involving a single case, we think there are reasons for the non-contribution of indirect citations that hold beyond our case study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul E. van der Vet
- Human Media Interaction Group, Department of Computer Science, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, Enschede, 7522 NB the Netherlands
- ZGT Academy, Ziekenhuisgroep Twente, Zilvermeeuw 1, Almelo, 7609 PP the Netherlands
| | - Harm Nijveen
- Bioinformatics Laboratory, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, Wageningen, 6708 PB the Netherlands
- Wageningen Seed Lab, Laboratory of Plant Physiology, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, Wageningen, 6708 PB the Netherlands
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Abstract
Scientific misconduct has been defined as fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism. Scientific misconduct has occurred throughout the history of science. The US government began to take systematic interest in such misconduct in the 1980s. Since then, a number of studies have examined how frequently individual scientists have observed scientific misconduct or were involved in it. Although the studies vary considerably in their methodology and in the nature and size of their samples, in most studies at least 10% of the scientists sampled reported having observed scientific misconduct. In addition to studies of the incidence of scientific misconduct, this review considers the recent increase in paper retractions, the role of social media in scientific ethics, several instructional examples of egregious scientific misconduct, and potential methods to reduce research misconduct.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Gross
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544;
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Bustin SA. The reproducibility of biomedical research: Sleepers awake! BIOMOLECULAR DETECTION AND QUANTIFICATION 2014; 2:35-42. [PMID: 27896142 PMCID: PMC5121206 DOI: 10.1016/j.bdq.2015.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2014] [Revised: 01/08/2015] [Accepted: 01/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
There is increasing concern about the reliability of biomedical research, with recent articles suggesting that up to 85% of research funding is wasted. This article argues that an important reason for this is the inappropriate use of molecular techniques, particularly in the field of RNA biomarkers, coupled with a tendency to exaggerate the importance of research findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen A. Bustin
- Faculty of Medical Science, Postgraduate Medical Institute, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford CM1 1SQ, UK
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Katavić V. Retractions of scientific publications: responsibility and accountability. Biochem Med (Zagreb) 2014; 24:217-22. [PMID: 24969915 PMCID: PMC4083573 DOI: 10.11613/bm.2014.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2014] [Accepted: 05/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
This evidence-based opinion piece gives a short overview of the increase in retractions of publications in scientific journals and discusses various reasons for that increase. Also discussed are some of the recent prominent cases of scientific misconduct, the number of authors with multiple retractions, and problems with reproducibility of published research. Finally, some of the effects of faulty research on science and society, as well as possible solutions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vedran Katavić
- Department of Anatomy, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
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