Weekend reads: Reviewer comments unmasked, the problem with top journal editors, originality an illusion?

The week at Retraction Watch featured a number of legal cases by scientists trying to suppress criticism about their work. Here’s what was happening elsewhere:

Weekend reads: P values banned, climate skeptic fails to disclose corporate funding, editors behaving badly

This week at Retraction Watch featured a change of heart by a journal, and a look at Nature’s addition of double-blind peer review. Here’s what was happening elsewhere:

Weekend reads: Tortured reviewers, why failure is good, journals without editors?

This week at Retraction Watch, an explosives paper burned up, and we found that we’re cited in a $8 million lawsuit. Here’s what’s happening elsewhere:

Weekend reads: Where to submit your next paper, NIH proposes “emeritus” award, research dollars wasted

This week at Retraction Watch featured the debut of our new editor, and a unicorn. Here’s what was happening elsewhere:

Fraud’s long tail: Measles outbreak shows why it’s important to look downstream of retractions

As Retraction Watch readers know, public health officials are concerned about a U.S. measles outbreak. As The New York Times notes: The United States has already had more cases of measles in the first month of 2015 than the number that is typically diagnosed in a full year. This follows a year in which the number of … Continue reading Fraud’s long tail: Measles outbreak shows why it’s important to look downstream of retractions

What if universities had to agree to refund grants whenever there was a retraction?

We’re pleased to share this guest post from Leonid Schneider, a cell biologist, science journalist and a prolific cartoonist whose work graces our Twitter profile and Facebook page. In it, Schneider argues for a new way to ensure accountability for publicly funded research. It has become clear that scientific dishonesty is rarely sanctioned.  In the worst case scenario, manipulated or … Continue reading What if universities had to agree to refund grants whenever there was a retraction?

Is Rolling Stone retracting its story on UVA sexual assault?

Rolling Stone has published an editor’s note that calls into question their November 19 story, “A Rape on Campus,” which details a UVA student’s alleged gang rape at a fraternity party and her subsequent struggle to get justice from the school. Shortly after publication, the magazine was criticized for not seeking a statement from the … Continue reading Is Rolling Stone retracting its story on UVA sexual assault?

Weekend reads: “Too good to be true” results; the paper as an “artificial landmark”

The week at Retraction Watch kicked off with news of the European Science Foundation threatening to sue a scientist for calling a review process “flawed.” Here’s what was happening elsewhere:

Downstream effects: Comment on retracted narcolepsy paper retracted

The recent retraction of a paper in Science Translational Medicine reporting “one of the biggest things to happen” in narcolepsy research has claimed a bystander: A letter that commented on the no-longer-landmark article. The authors of the letter are with GlaxoSmithKline’s vaccine division. Here’s the new notice:

Weekend reads: Reading Nature and Science “very unpleasant,” how to spot fake journals

The week at Retraction Watch featured revelations about the backstory of an expression of concern, and Office of Research Integrity findings in a case that had its beginnings in Retraction Watch comments. Here’s what was happening elsewhere: