Harvard Professor Research Misconduct Upsetting

September 15, 2012

A surprising case of research misconduct has been uncovered recently at Harvard University. A psychology professor at the Ivy League school resigned ten months after being accused by faculty of fabricating data and manipulating results in experiments. In “Feds: Ex-Harvard Prof Faked Data in Experiments” on Phys.org, we learn about the report from the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Research Integrity that states that former professor Marc Hauser was solely responsible for eight instances of scientific misconduct.

The article tells us more about the trouble at Harvard:

“The federal document found six cases in which Hauser engaged in research misconduct in work supported by the National Institutes of Health. One paper was retracted and two were corrected. Other problems were found in unpublished work. Hauser says he has fundamental differences with the findings but acknowledges he made mistakes.”

We are surprised to see such misconduct at a prestigious university and are left to wonder if search has become so difficult that even trusted professors have resorted to just winging it. We are also disappointed as researchers that such forged documents are likely abound online.

Andrea Hayden, September 15, 2012

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Comments

One Response to “Harvard Professor Research Misconduct Upsetting”

  1. Kenzy on November 20th, 2012 12:12 am

    I believe that the sdeutnts who are not athletes, legacy, under represented minorities (black or Hispanic), or the first person in their family to go to college only make up 40% of the people who are admitted. That mean that if you are white/asian, not a capable athlete, do not have anyone in your family who went there, have any fame, or a hook (one accomplishment that is extraordinary something that sets you far apart from everyone else) then you have to be academically amazing. You would have to get a 3.9 unweighted or higher, with about 7+ AP or IB classes, 2 SAT subject tests that are 700+, and an SAT score of 2200+. On top of all of this, you also need to write an amazing essay and great recommendations, and a list of extracurricular activities (some on the national and state level). If you are able to accomplish all of this then you still have a marginal chance of getting accepted, unless you are famous, have a hook, are an URM, or the other stuff I mentioned in the first sentence. I would start working on all of this stuff as soon as possible, especially prepping for the SATs if you are not good at standardized tests.References :

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