Perception of Research Misconduct in a Spanish University

Abstract

Several studies on research misconduct have already explored and discussed its potential occurrence in universities across diferent countries. However, little is known about this issue in Spain, a paradigmatic context due to its consolidated scientifc evaluation system, which relies heavily on metrics. The present article attempts to fll this gap in the literature through an empirical study undertaken in a specifc university: Universitat Jaume I (Castelló). The study was based on a survey with closed and open questions; almost half the total population of the university’s researchers participated (505 out of 1030, i.e. 49.03%), yielding a representative sample of diferent academic career stages and areas of knowledge. Results show that 71.68% (n=362) of the respondents consider at least one form of misconduct to be proliferating in their area of knowledge at the national level. This fgure falls to 48.95% (n=247) in reference to misconduct in their own institution. The most frequently reported types of misconduct linked to life with colleagues are especially the use of personal infuence (in evaluation or review processes); lax supervision of doctoral theses; and the abuse of power over people in lower positions. Personal ambitions and pressure from the evaluation system are regarded as the most infuential causes of misconduct proliferation, according to academics at this Spanish university