This story is based on real events and was anonymized to keep all parties safe.
A famous professor from the United Kingdom received a paper to review, before its publication in a journal. The professor had been conducting the very same research, as described in the paper, for a long time, but without success. The paper shocked him. It provided all the answers that he was looking for for a few years. The paper was literally tip top.
The professor was curious about who the author of the paper was and was even more curious to obtain every little detail of how the data described in the paper were obtained. He contacted the University that the researcher claimed to be part of. He was shocked to find out that the researcher only used the name of the University to promote the paper. The professor also discovered that the researcher was an academic at the University but got fired a long time ago. He then discovered that all data in the paper were made up.
- What are your views about this case?
- What would you do about the paper you were expected to review?
- Do you think the University should be notified about this paper?
- Do you think the professor should contact the researcher?
- What actions do you propose for cases like this?
You are welcome to share your views about this case and engage in a discussion with others.