Research fundamentals VI: Misconduct in biomedical research

The goal of medical research is the acquisition and application of new know ledge for the benefit of individual patients and society as a whole. Achiev ing this goal requires excellence in scientific methodology, honesty in dat a collection and interpretation, and realistic assessment of the implicatio ns of the findings. Underlying all steps in the acquisition of new knowledg e is the absolute need for application of the highest ethical standards for research. Occassionally, ethical principles of research are breached becau se of lack of understanding or the carelessness of researchers. However, re searchers have the obligation to know and apply basic principles of researc h ethics in order to avoid, prevent, or recognize deviations from ethical s cientific behavior. When intentional violations of the principles of ethica l research occur, the impact to the scientific and lay community can be pro found. Misconduct can be prevented if the ethical principles of research ar e understood and consistently applied. This paper describes the sources and detection of misconduct in the production of science in order to provide e mergency researchers with the knowledge needed to prevent misconduct from o ccurring at all.