Allegations of research errors, falsification and fabrication
Where referees or readers come to the publisher or editor saying that certain laboratories do not have the facilities to conduct the research they published; the gel images look manipulated; the data from the control experiments is too perfect, etc., then the possibilities of falsification or fabrication need to be considered.
Falsification is publishing data or conclusions that were not generated by experiments or observations by data manipulation. This may involve changing the data measurements to conveniently fit the desired end result or excluding inconvenient results with the same end result: falsification. Fabrication is inventing results.
Recommended action
Note that the procedures below are similar to those for research results misappropriation.
The complainant must be made aware that the matter cannot be investigated unless the journal editor informs the corresponding (or complained-about) author (due process) and the institution or company at which the research took place (especially if falsification or fabrication are alleged).
In the communication to the corresponding author (seeย Form letter A1), the editor should indicate that the matter will likely be referred to the institution or company where the research took place or any other relevant institution or agency (for example a funding agency), unless the author provides a reasonable explanation (accepted as reasonable by theย editor).
FAQs
Then a note, corrigendum or retraction process may be appropriate remedies. Note that there may still be disagreement concerning the appropriate description of the error or wrong-doing.
It may be appropriate for such a note to simply indicate that the research work reported in the article contained errors (if only some parts of the research was invalid), and if the editor concludes the mistake was unintentional
If the errors are more critical, or the falsification or fabrication more pervasive, a more critical statement may be appropriate (with legal review for defamation)
Ultimately, the editor may need to make a judgment as to the appropriate language for the statement, if there is no consensus, and should do so in consultation with Elsevier staff
Then the editor will have to consider whether the authorโs explanation is reasonable. Normally, the editor would also inform the complainant of the authorโs explanation and seek comment (seeย Form letter B).
Then the editor should refer the matter to the institution or company employing the author/co-authors, noting the allegation of falsification or fabrication (seeย Form letter C).
Then the editor should inform the corresponding author and complainant that the editor will seriously consider the judgment of the institution (through a corrigendum or Elsevier's retraction and removal procedures).
Then this should be reviewed with the complainant. Perhaps the complainant is better placed to make the complaint directly with the institution.
To determine this, review disclosure statements or acknowledgments in the article. If so, the editor should consider contacting the agency (usingย Form letter E).
Then the editor will be expected to make a determination, in his or her reasonable judgment, as to the underlying facts and to make a recommendation to Elsevier (and possibly the society for a society journal), which Elsevier staff will implement normally through the retraction and removal process.
It may be advisable for the editor in this fact-finding process to request the views and comments of third parties who may be expected to have knowledge of the facts alleged by the complainant.