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The Ethics of Study Reporting

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Abstract

The reporting of research evidence is vital for the achievement and distribution of knowledge and the advancement of science. This chapter discusses the ethical aspects of reporting, with a prime focus on ethical issues associated with publishing scientific reports. Misconduct in study reporting can occur in a number of forms. This includes misleading reporting, plagiarism, and misrepresenting authorship. These practices as well as publication bias undermine the general principles of epidemiology. Furthermore, authors need to respect the right to confidentiality of research participants in their publications and avoid causing stigma to participants, communities, and themselves. They are also responsible for disclosing all potential and real conflicts of interest, of which there are many types, such as intellectual property.

Evidence described in medical journals tends to constitute, in the aggregate, a biased base for learning about any given issue.

O.S. Miettinen

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland

    Eimear Keane MPH

  2. Centre for International Health, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway

    Jan Van den Broeck M.D., Ph.D.

  3. Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Jonathan R. Brestoff MPH

Authors
  1. Eimear Keane MPH
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  2. Jan Van den Broeck M.D., Ph.D.
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  3. Jonathan R. Brestoff MPH
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Eimear Keane MPH .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway

    Jan Van den Broeck

  2. Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

    Jonathan R Brestoff

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Keane, E., Van den Broeck, J., Brestoff, J.R. (2013). The Ethics of Study Reporting. In: Van den Broeck, J., Brestoff, J. (eds) Epidemiology: Principles and Practical Guidelines. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5989-3_31

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5989-3_31

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-007-5988-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-007-5989-3

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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