Reasons behind academic fraud: Opinion

Opinion

In a recent editorial for the Chronicle of Higher Ed, Andrew Gelman (Columbia University) discusses the possible reasons behind academic fraud. Gelman reflects on a recent case of a researcher who studied cheating and was found to have falsified data. The author writes that those who engage in scientific misconduct are often rewarded by their actions until they are exposed. As the fraud continues, they eventually come to either consider themselves invincible or believe that many of their peers are cheating as well. Gelman asserts that those who are aware of the cheating but stay silent and/or who do not check research when collaborating with others are directly contributing to the problem.

Chronicle of Higher Ed (Acct. Req.)