Publication, ethics, and scientific integrity

The vast majority of scientists are honest and dedicated professionals who are not fudging data, plagiarizing their colleagues' research, or abusing patients. These are the felonies of scientific practice, and many scientists feel that the reputation of science has been unfairly damaged by the misconduct of a few of their colleagues. The author suggests a complacency about scientific integrity that he believes is mistaken and dangerous. It is tempting to think that because only a tiny fraction of scientists are guilty of this kind of misconduct, then there is no cause for alarm. One of the most widespread and corrosive practices that undermines scientific integrity is "salami science," slicing a research study into the thinnest possible slices in order to maximize the number of publications.