Current situation and influence factors of scientific integrity in China: A multicenter survey

Xinqiao Liu; Yuxin Guo; Wenjuan Gao; Yu Xie; Heling Zhao; Jun Du

doi:10.1016/j.apjon.2023.100365

Current situation and influence factors of scientific integrity in China: A multicenter survey

Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs. 2023 Dec 22;11(2):100365. doi: 10.1016/j.apjon.2023.100365. eCollection 2024 Feb.

Authors

Xinqiao Liu¹, Yuxin Guo¹, Wenjuan Gao², Yu Xie³, Heling Zhao³, Jun Du³

Affiliations

¹ School of Education, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.
² Institute of Higher Education, Beihang University, Beijing, China.
³ Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Office of Academic Research, National Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Beijing, China.

Abstract

Objective: Cases of scientific misconduct have occurred frequently, especially in the field of medical research. We collected electronic questionnaires from 1257 medical staff in 43 cities and obtained a cross-sectional data set of their understanding of scientific integrity in research. This study aims to propose recommendations for establishing a mature oversight system for research integrity.

Methods: The study employed multiple regression analysis to explore the effect of different factors on the perception of four types of research integrity.

Results: Female participants had a higher understanding of project application integrity than men (P < 0.001). Participants in clinical departments had a lower understanding of project application integrity than those in nursing departments (clinical vs. nursing, P = 0.046). Participants with a junior college degree or below had a lower understanding than those who had a postgraduate degree and doctoral degree (junior college or below vs. postgraduate degree, P < 0.001; junior college or below vs. doctoral degree, P < 0.001).

Conclusions: We found that female, medical technology department, advanced education background, and advanced professional titles were significantly associated with a higher understanding of scientific integrity in research in China.

Keywords: Gender differences; Medical research; Medical staff; Perception of scientific integrity.