Scientific fraud is a serious problem. In 2009, Daniele Fanelli from the University of Edinburgh analysed the results of several surveys and showed that around 2 percent of scientists admit to having “fabricated, falsified or modified data or results at least once”. Worse still, around 14 percent of them claimed that their colleagues had done the same.
When cases of fraud and misconduct are discovered, it’s usually through the actions of whistleblowers–peers or partners who take on a big personal risk to out their unethical colleagues. In a new feature for Nature, I and three other writers explore three radically different scientific whistleblowers to try and understand why (and how) they do what they do.
I profiled Uri Simonsohn, a psychologist whom I’ve written about before. He was responsible for outing two recent cases of fraud in psychology, with analytical methods and almost surgical precision. With less than two years, both researchers under suspicion had resigned from their posts.
The other two stories play out very differently. Heidi Ledford profiled a woman whose quixotic quest to expose a colleague has consumed more than a decade of her life. Meanwhile, Richard van Noorden tackles an anonymous whistleblower who has been sending out tips left, right and centre.
I think the tryptich, and the juxtaposition between the different profiles, is fascinating. Have a read.
Related Topics
Go Further
Animals
- These 'trash fish' are among Earth's most primitive animalsThese 'trash fish' are among Earth's most primitive animals
- These photos are works of art—and the artists are bugsThese photos are works of art—and the artists are bugs
- The epic migration of a 6-foot long, 200-pound catfishThe epic migration of a 6-foot long, 200-pound catfish
- Frans de Waal, biologist who studied animal emotion, dies at 75Frans de Waal, biologist who studied animal emotion, dies at 75
Environment
- Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet? The answer isn't clear-cut.Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet? The answer isn't clear-cut.
- This year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning signThis year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning sign
- The U.S. just announced an asbestos ban. What took so long?The U.S. just announced an asbestos ban. What took so long?
- The most dangerous job? Inside the world of underwater weldersThe most dangerous job? Inside the world of underwater welders
- The harrowing flight that wild whooping cranes make to surviveThe harrowing flight that wild whooping cranes make to survive
History & Culture
- Meet the powerful yokai that inspired the demon king in ‘Demon Slayer’Meet the powerful yokai that inspired the demon king in ‘Demon Slayer’
- A surprising must-wear for European monarchs? Weasels.A surprising must-wear for European monarchs? Weasels.
- Meet the woman who made Polaroid into a cultural iconMeet the woman who made Polaroid into a cultural icon
- Inside the observatory that birthed modern astrophysicsInside the observatory that birthed modern astrophysics
- See how Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr around the worldSee how Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr around the world
Science
- NASA smashed an asteroid with a rocket. The debris could hit Mars.NASA smashed an asteroid with a rocket. The debris could hit Mars.
- Humans really can have superpowers—scientists are studying themHumans really can have superpowers—scientists are studying them
- Why engineers are concerned about aging infrastructureWhy engineers are concerned about aging infrastructure
- The benefits of eating the peels on your fruits and veggiesThe benefits of eating the peels on your fruits and veggies
- The island of Santorini is hiding an explosive secretThe island of Santorini is hiding an explosive secret
Travel
- Play and stay in the mountains of eastern Nevada
- Paid Content
Play and stay in the mountains of eastern Nevada - This couple quit the city to grow wasabi in Japan's mountainsThis couple quit the city to grow wasabi in Japan's mountains