Dear Tipsters,
Have any of you made the difficult decision to informally intervene with a colleague or student when you suspected that a research project was being conducted in a way that would lead to invalid results? By “bad science,” along with the most often discussed forms of scientific misconduct (i.e., fabrication and falsification), I include such acts as carelessness, poor supervision of assistants, and incompetence—and these could occur without any wrongful intent.
I am collecting examples of collegial attempts to prevent “bad science” that worked out well (that is, an action that could have corrupted the research record was avoided without negative consequences for anyone) as well as instances where things didn’t turn out so well. Or--and this may be trickier to describe--if you observed such an act and did not get involved, did you have regrets or feel guilty? (I confess that I have turned aside a time or two, not wanting to get involved in what could have gotten sticky, and feel a strange kind of misgiving still.)
I would greatly appreciate any accounts that you would be willing to share, and will totally respect your confidentiality. (Please do not supply any identifying information. If you only want me to see your response, don’t push the reply button.)
I would REALLY appreciate any help here.
Sincerely,
Patricia Keith-Spiegel, PhD
Visiting Professor of Psychology
Department of Psychiatry
Harvard Medical School
