Sunday, January 12, 2020

Committee completes probe into scientific papers

An article in The Hindu had flagged papers published with problematic images


12/01/2020, R. PRASAD,CHENNAI

Shekhar C. Mande

An independent committee, formed in early June 2019, to investigate the issue of image duplication and manipulation in papers published by researchers of the Lucknow-based Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR), has submitted its report to Shekhar C. Mande, Director-General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

The committee was formed in response to an article published in The Hindu about 130 scientific papers that had problems with images.

Elaborate exercise

According to Dr. Mande, the remit of the committee was expanded to cover four-five CSIR laboratories that had similar problems with images.

“It was a massive exercise as the committee looked into each case of the alleged image duplication and/or manipulation in published.” says Dr. Mande.

The committee had given all scientists an opportunity to defend their case and tell the committee what action they had taken. “The directors of each CSIR laboratory will follow the CSIR administrative procedures and give the scientists an opportunity to defend their case and take action where necessary,” said Dr. Mande.

In June 2019, immediately after the committee was formed, Dr. Mande told The Hindu: “The CSIR has a zero tolerance policy on the issue of scientific integrity ... If anyone is found to be guilty of manipulations, thereby leading to deliberate scientific fraud, the person will face suitable disciplinary action.”

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