Men more likely to commit scientific misconduct, says study

Science : Whereas it occurs across all stages of career development, misconduct by scientists is committed more often by men than by women, according to a study published yesterday in the journal mBio. The study was conducted by three microbiologists, who reviewed all the misconduct reports produced by the US Office of Research Integrity (ORI) since 1994. Nearly all instances of misconduct concerned research in the life sciences. Of the 228 people involved, 149, or 65%, were men. Academic rank also played a part. Of those who had committed misconduct, 32% were faculty members. The findings could influence interventions, which have traditionally centered on trainees. Principal investigators “are a legitimate target for interventions to improve ethics,” said Ferric Fang of the University of Washington in Seattle, who is one of the study’s authors. “They also, more than anyone else, create the environment in which science is performed.”