Some authors seem to cite their own retracted studies. Should we be concerned?

Some authors of retracted studies persist in citing their retracted work, according to a new study in Science and Engineering Ethics that calls the trend “very concerning.”

“The Chrysalis Effect: How Ugly Initial Results Metamorphosize Into Beautiful Articles”

The headline of this post is the title of a fascinating new paper in the Journal of Management suggesting that if the road to publication is paved with good intentions, it may also be paved with bad scientific practice. Ernest Hugh O’Boyle and colleagues tracked 142 management and applied psychology PhD theses to publication, and … Continue reading “The Chrysalis Effect: How Ugly Initial Results Metamorphosize Into Beautiful Articles”

March Madness? Harvard profs take shots at controversial studies, request retractions

In the wake of Harvard’s gritty performance in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament — they were eliminated Saturday — a pair of faculty members at the Ivy League institution are calling foul on two controversial journal articles that have already been corrected. Walter Willett, an oft-quoted Harvard nutrition expert, is calling for the retraction of … Continue reading March Madness? Harvard profs take shots at controversial studies, request retractions

Psychiatric Times reinstates retracted essay on “satanic ritual abuse”

Last month, we brought readers the story of a retraction in December from Psychiatric Times, of an essay by Richard Noll that included this passage: Despite the discomfort it brings, we owe it to the current generation of clinicians to remember that an elite minority within the American psychiatric profession played a small but ultimately … Continue reading Psychiatric Times reinstates retracted essay on “satanic ritual abuse”

Entomologist surprised to find name on now-retracted paper alleging fossils oppose Darwin’s theory of evolution

The Journal of Biology and Life Science, published by the Macrothink Institute, has retracted a paper that claimed “fossil does not provides [sic] the convincing and direct evidences for evolution,” for reasons that they left to us to figure out. The entire notice for “Fossils Evidences (Paleontology) Opposite to Darwin’s Theory,” allegedly written by Md. … Continue reading Entomologist surprised to find name on now-retracted paper alleging fossils oppose Darwin’s theory of evolution

Nature paper by researcher found to have violated academic integrity retracted

A 2013 paper in Nature that was among those whose first or last author had committed a “violation of academic integrity,” according to Utrecht University, has been retracted. Here’s the notice: for “CLASP-mediated cortical microtubule organization guides PIN polarization axis,” whose corresponding author was Pankaj Dhonukshe:

Researcher intimidated trainees into faking heart test results: ORI

A cardiology researcher in Illinois coerced trainees to fake the results of a heart test so that patients would qualify to enter a clinical trial, according to a new finding by the Office of Research Integrity (ORI). Here’s an excerpt from the ORI’s notice about Parag V. Patel, of Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, in Park … Continue reading Researcher intimidated trainees into faking heart test results: ORI

Dear Retraction Watch readers: We want to grow. Here’s how you can help

Gentle readers: Since August of 2010 when we launched Retraction Watch, you’ve showed us plenty of love, for which we are ever grateful. Your encouragement, story tips, and critiques are what make the site what it is. It’s great to know that we are providing you with a valuable source of information that has helped … Continue reading Dear Retraction Watch readers: We want to grow. Here’s how you can help

How you can support Retraction Watch

Gentle readers: Since August of 2010 when we launched Retraction Watch, you’ve showed us plenty of love, for which we are ever grateful. Your encouragement, story tips, and critiques are what make the site what it is. It’s great to know that we are providing you with a valuable source of information that has helped … Continue reading How you can support Retraction Watch

Fight against false copyright claims goes to Capitol Hill

Retraction Watch readers may recall that in November, we, along with Automattic, the company behind WordPress, filed a lawsuit against someone who filed a false copyright infringement claim about ten of our posts. On a false pretense — copying and pasting the posts onto a website in India, then claiming that we had plagiarized that … Continue reading Fight against false copyright claims goes to Capitol Hill