Scholarly Crimes and Misdemeanors : Violations of Fairness and Trust in the Academic World

This book explores the problem of scientific dishonesty and misconduct, presenting examples of the various forms it takes and examining the reasons for its occurrence. Addressing the experience of victims and perpetrators’ reactions to being accused, it considers the role of witnesses and bystanders. The authors offer a theorization of the phenomenon in criminological terms as a particular form of crime, before examining the possibilities that exist for the prevention and control of scholarly crime, as well as implications for further research.

This book explores the problem of scientific dishonesty and misconduct – a problem that affects all disciplines, yet whose extent remains largely unknown and for which established standards for reporting, prevention, and punishment are absent. Presenting examples of research misconduct, the authors examine the reasons for its occurrence and address the experience of victimization that is involved, together with the perpetrators’ reactions to being accused. With consideration of the role of witnesses and bystanders, such as book and journal editors and reviewers, students and professional organizations, the book covers the many forms of academic misconduct, offering a theorization of the phenomenon in criminological terms as a particular form of crime, before examining the possibilities that exist for the prevention and control of scholarly crime, as well as implications for further research. An accessible treatment of a problem that remains largely hidden, Scholarly Crimes and Misdemeanors will appeal to readers across disciplines, and particularly those in the social sciences with interests in academic life, research ethics and criminology.