Decision concerning research misconduct

It was the University itself that reported the suspicion of misconduct to NPOF, in accordance with the University’s procedures for how to handle suspicions of deviations from good research practice. The researcher has appealed NPOF’s decision.

“It is important that we as a higher education institution react to suspicions of research misconduct and in accordance with the law submit such cases to the NPOF for review. It is about both the quality of and confidence in the research. With the handling in NPOF, we learn together and have a common practice in the sector,” says Vice-Chancellor Susanna Öhman.

The researcher was suspected of having edited a student report and then submitted it as a manuscript to publish under their own name. The student report was produced within the framework of a course at an advanced level at Halmstad University, but none of the students who wrote the report were listed as co-authors of the manuscript.

Deviation from good research practice must be reported

The University’s guidelines state that anyone who suspects a deviation from good research practice must report it in writing to the Vice-Chancellor, which is what happened in this case. The Vice-Chancellor then had an investigation carried out to determine whether the allegation concerned what is known as “research misconduct” or other deviations from good research practice. After consultation with the University’s Legal Officers and the University Director, the Vice-Chancellor decided to bring the matter to The National Board for Assessment of Research Misconduct.

Following an investigation, NPOF concluded that the manuscript contains very extensive plagiarism of a student report and that the researcher plagiarised with intent. Therefore, NPOF finds the researcher guilty of research misconduct.

The researcher has appealed NPOF’s decision to the Administrative Court, and thus it has not gained legal force. The decision has been published on NPOF’s website.

Selma Sedelius