The scientific community is facing an exponential growth crisis in fraudulent papers published in the literature. According to new research, up to half of all studies being published annually may be false or fabricated. The proliferation of paper mills has created a system where scientists are pressured to “publish or perish” and resort to cheating to advance their careers.
Researchers from Northwestern University have analyzed thousands of articles flagged for image duplication and found that they were often published in large batches by paper mills. These mills cooperate with dishonest editors, known as brokers, who control publishing decisions at select journals. The study also identified specific sub-fields of research that are vulnerable to fraudulent activity, such as RNA biology.
Experts warn that current strategies to detect and remove fraudulent articles may not be effective, especially as the number of fake papers grows exponentially. To address this issue, researchers advocate for collective action from institutions, stricter regulations on paper mills, and a fairer scientific community that prioritizes quality over quantity.
Source: https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/uncovering-the-fraudsters-and-their-schemes-responsible-for-polluting-the-scientific-literature/4021938.article