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I was involved in a project with a researcher in Japan, it was impossible to replicate their work. Numerous people (academics in the field) have suggested that

by xevb3k 8y ago

I was involved in a project with a researcher in Japan, it was impossible to replicate their work. Numerous people (academics in the field) have suggested that the work was falsified. I somehow can’t quite bring myself the believe it. I can’t understand what the motivation would be, or that any reasonable person would fake scientific data. And continue to do so, over a period years. The STAP cell debacle is somewhat similar. What’s the endgame? Surely it becomes clear in the end that the work can not be replicated? Can anyone shed some light on the motivation for these frauds? Is there something in particular about the Japanese ecosystem that makes them more common?

hh3k0 8y ago
> Can anyone shed some light on the motivation for these frauds? Money and prestige while it lasts? > Is there something in particular about the Japanese ecosystem that makes them more common? Well, the article states the following: > Michiie Sakamoto, who is leading another investigation at Keio University, into Iwamoto's studies in animals, says it has to do with respect. "In Japan, we don't usually doubt a professor," he says. "We basically believe people. We think we don't need strict rules to watch them carefully." As a result, researchers faking their results may be exposed only after they have racked up many publications.
- xevb3k 8y ago
  The motivation exists elsewhere. The statement “In Japan, we don’t usually doubt a professor” is also true elsewhere. I don’t usually read any paper with the assumption that data was fabricated (maybe selected, possibly presented in a way to tell the strongest story, but not out-right fake). So, I still can’t quite put my finger on what is different about the Japanese ecosystem. Perhaps the checks and balances within departments are not as strong? Outside Japan, a manager or department head seems to have a stronger supervisory role in my limited experience.

by xevb3k 8y ago

hh3k0 8y ago

> Can anyone shed some light on the motivation for these frauds? Money and prestige while it lasts? > Is there something in particular about the Japanese ecosystem that makes them more common? Well, the article states the following: > Michiie Sakamoto, who is leading another investigation at Keio University, into Iwamoto's studies in animals, says it has to do with respect. "In Japan, we don't usually doubt a professor," he says. "We basically believe people. We think we don't need strict rules to watch them carefully." As a result, researchers faking their results may be exposed only after they have racked up many publications.

xevb3k 8y ago
The motivation exists elsewhere. The statement “In Japan, we don’t usually doubt a professor” is also true elsewhere. I don’t usually read any paper with the assumption that data was fabricated (maybe selected, possibly presented in a way to tell the strongest story, but not out-right fake). So, I still can’t quite put my finger on what is different about the Japanese ecosystem. Perhaps the checks and balances within departments are not as strong? Outside Japan, a manager or department head seems to have a stronger supervisory role in my limited experience.