Accountability and responsibility in research

Fraud and misconduct in scientific research appears to be increasing since 1980 when several cases were disclosed. Earlier instances were handled awkwardly, but the scientific community has since mobilized and issued guidelines about responding to allegations of misconduct and about the responsible conduct of research. Scientists, editors and the institutions of science are slowly learning how to cope with this problem.Patricia Woolf studies communication among scientists and has taught sociology of science. Her recent work has focused on research on misconduct, conflict of interest and the professionalization of medical editing.