Magnitude and Factors Associated with Research Misconduct at a Public University in Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Survey [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]
Background Research integrity, essential for ethical scientific research, has been inadequately addressed in Ethiopia, resulting in gaps in addressing misconduct like plagiarism, falsification and fabrication. The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude and factors associated with research mis...
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F1000 Research Ltd
2025-02-01
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| author | Habtamu Belay Hailu Sintayehu Tsegaye Bitew Joseph Ali Betselot Yirsaw Wubete Telahun Teka Wolde |
| author_facet | Habtamu Belay Hailu Sintayehu Tsegaye Bitew Joseph Ali Betselot Yirsaw Wubete Telahun Teka Wolde |
| author_sort | Habtamu Belay Hailu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background Research integrity, essential for ethical scientific research, has been inadequately addressed in Ethiopia, resulting in gaps in addressing misconduct like plagiarism, falsification and fabrication. The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude and factors associated with research misconduct at a public university in Ethiopia. Methods An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted on a random sample of researchers. Data were collected via a self-administered, structured questionnaire, which was adapted from a similar study. The collected data were analysed using descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable logistic regression. Result A total of 244 researchers participated in the study, resulting in an 82% response rate. In our study, 37.7% of participants reported engaging in at least one form of misconduct, 95% CI [31.6%, 44.1%]. Authorship misconduct was the most common form of self-reported misconduct (47.5%), 95% CI [41.1%, 54.0%], followed by fabrication and falsification (40.6%), 95% CI [34.4%, 47.0%]. Publication pressure was significantly associated with research misconduct (AOR = 3.18; 95% CI: [1.02, 9.95]). Conclusion This study highlights the prevalence of research misconduct and questionable research practices among academic researchers, with authorship misconduct, fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism being the most commonly reported types. Attitudes toward research misconduct and self-reported involvement were influenced by academic position, research experience, and publication pressure, with junior researchers being more likely to report engaging in misbehavior. While ethics training has occasionally been associated with reduced rates of research misconduct, its effectiveness remains uncertain, as institutional culture, supervision, and mentorship may play a more significant role. Addressing research misconduct requires a comprehensive approach that extends beyond ethical instruction, incorporating targeted support for early-career researchers, open dialogue, and institutional policy reforms. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ab449ab153084562a8da75bb2cb0f303 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2046-1402 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | F1000 Research Ltd |
| record_format | Article |
| series | F1000Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-ab449ab153084562a8da75bb2cb0f3032025-08-20T02:45:52ZengF1000 Research LtdF1000Research2046-14022025-02-011410.12688/f1000research.159997.2178141Magnitude and Factors Associated with Research Misconduct at a Public University in Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Survey [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]Habtamu Belay Hailu0https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9807-4074Sintayehu Tsegaye Bitew1Joseph Ali2Betselot Yirsaw Wubete3Telahun Teka Wolde4Ethiopian Defense University, College of Health Sciences, Bishoftu, EthiopiaEthiopian Defense University, College of Health Sciences, Bishoftu, EthiopiaJohns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics, Baltimore, Maryland, USAGlobal Funds Country Coordinating Mechanism of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaAddis Ababa University College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaBackground Research integrity, essential for ethical scientific research, has been inadequately addressed in Ethiopia, resulting in gaps in addressing misconduct like plagiarism, falsification and fabrication. The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude and factors associated with research misconduct at a public university in Ethiopia. Methods An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted on a random sample of researchers. Data were collected via a self-administered, structured questionnaire, which was adapted from a similar study. The collected data were analysed using descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable logistic regression. Result A total of 244 researchers participated in the study, resulting in an 82% response rate. In our study, 37.7% of participants reported engaging in at least one form of misconduct, 95% CI [31.6%, 44.1%]. Authorship misconduct was the most common form of self-reported misconduct (47.5%), 95% CI [41.1%, 54.0%], followed by fabrication and falsification (40.6%), 95% CI [34.4%, 47.0%]. Publication pressure was significantly associated with research misconduct (AOR = 3.18; 95% CI: [1.02, 9.95]). Conclusion This study highlights the prevalence of research misconduct and questionable research practices among academic researchers, with authorship misconduct, fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism being the most commonly reported types. Attitudes toward research misconduct and self-reported involvement were influenced by academic position, research experience, and publication pressure, with junior researchers being more likely to report engaging in misbehavior. While ethics training has occasionally been associated with reduced rates of research misconduct, its effectiveness remains uncertain, as institutional culture, supervision, and mentorship may play a more significant role. Addressing research misconduct requires a comprehensive approach that extends beyond ethical instruction, incorporating targeted support for early-career researchers, open dialogue, and institutional policy reforms.https://f1000research.com/articles/14-111/v2Research misconduct Responsible Conduct of Research Questionable Research Practices Research Integrityeng |
| spellingShingle | Habtamu Belay Hailu Sintayehu Tsegaye Bitew Joseph Ali Betselot Yirsaw Wubete Telahun Teka Wolde Magnitude and Factors Associated with Research Misconduct at a Public University in Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Survey [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] F1000Research Research misconduct Responsible Conduct of Research Questionable Research Practices Research Integrity eng |
| title | Magnitude and Factors Associated with Research Misconduct at a Public University in Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Survey [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_full | Magnitude and Factors Associated with Research Misconduct at a Public University in Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Survey [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_fullStr | Magnitude and Factors Associated with Research Misconduct at a Public University in Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Survey [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_full_unstemmed | Magnitude and Factors Associated with Research Misconduct at a Public University in Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Survey [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_short | Magnitude and Factors Associated with Research Misconduct at a Public University in Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Survey [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_sort | magnitude and factors associated with research misconduct at a public university in ethiopia a cross sectional survey version 2 peer review 2 approved |
| topic | Research misconduct Responsible Conduct of Research Questionable Research Practices Research Integrity eng |
| url | https://f1000research.com/articles/14-111/v2 |
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