Disguised As Investigators

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to characterize those subjects who disguise themselves as researchers in contexts related to scientific production, biasing attention towards those who engage in research in academic contexts. In this sense, it takes into account behaviors associated both with the fabrication and falsification of data, as well as with the plagiarism of works. In order to achieve all this, a descriptive research based on a content analysis was carried out. Among the findings, it stands out that: (a) many researchers consider that intentionality is present in most authors who commit fraud; (b) it is not always easy to discover some fraudulent processes, especially when the perpetrators enjoy certain skills that allow them to deceive a large part of the readers; (c) it has proved difficult to eradicate the presence of fraudulent authors and those who fabricate or falsify data to adulterate results; and (d) scientific work requires responsible and committed researchers, therefore, it must confront those who disguise themselves as researchers who only dedicate themselves, among other things, to configure teams of complacent researchers who endorse anything they receive, without being aware that what is written is affiliated to the ethical and moral standards that should accompany good researchers.