What is classified as "research misconduct" in clinical research?

Research misconduct is specifically defined as the violation of ethical and scientific standards in the research process, which includes actions that compromise the integrity of the research results. The terms “fabrication,” “falsification,” and “plagiarism” precisely encapsulate the core offenses in research misconduct.

Fabrication refers to making up data or results and recording or reporting them, which misleads the research community about the validity of findings. Falsification involves manipulating research materials, equipment, or processes or changing or omitting data such that the research is not accurately represented in the research record. Plagiarism entails using someone else's ideas, processes, results, or words without giving appropriate credit, thus violating intellectual property rights and undermining the collaborative spirit of research.

These actions are considered serious violations because they not only affect the reputation of the researchers involved but also undermine public trust in the research process itself. The integrity of scientific research is built upon honesty, transparency, and accuracy, and any breaches in these areas represent a significant threat to the entire research community and society at large.

In contrast, while ethical considerations, incomplete data collection, or poor participant communication can compromise research quality and ethics, they do not directly fall under the established definitions of misconduct as outlined