Ironic: Harvard Professor Studying ‘Honesty’, Accused of Falsifying Data in Her Research Papers

Cursory: Francesca Gino, a Harvard professor, has been accused of falsifying data in her research papers. Max Bazerman, a co-author, claims that Harvard informed him about the falsified results, leading to the retraction of one of Gino’s papers.

On June 16, reports surfaced regarding allegations against Francesca Gino. The Chronicle of Higher Education published an article stating that Max Bazerman, a co-author of one of Gino’s papers, claimed to have been informed by Harvard about falsified results in one of her studies.

The paper in question was initially published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences but was later retracted. It involved an experiment where participants were asked to complete tax and insurance paperwork.

The study, supervised by Gino, aimed to investigate methods to discourage dishonesty on these forms by having participants sign at the beginning rather than the end. The study concluded that those who signed at the beginning exhibited greater honesty.

Subsequently, Bazerman made further claims that Harvard had provided him with a 14-page document containing “compelling evidence” of data falsification.

The evidence included indications that someone had accessed a database, manipulated data, and made additions to the file. The Chronicle of Higher Education also highlighted that Gino had previously informed a co-author that a lab manager had collected the data. Bazerman has maintained that he had no involvement in the falsification of results.

Shortly after the Chronicle’s report, a blog named DataColoda, managed by three behavioral science academics, published a series of posts alleging that the falsified data extended beyond a single paper. These posts accused fraud in four academic papers that Gino had co-authored over the course of ten years.

The group of researchers stated that in the fall of 2021, they raised their concerns to Harvard Business School. They submitted a report presenting substantial evidence of fraudulent practices in four studies.

They wrote: “In the fall of 2021, we shared our concerns with Harvard Business School.

“Specifically, we wrote a report about four studies for which we had accumulated the strongest evidence of fraud. We believe that many more Gino-authored papers contain fake data. Perhaps dozens.”

According to the scientists, they assert that the original data files would offer indisputable evidence of fraud. As of the current writing (26 June), Gino has not issued a public response to the allegations.

However, her profile on the Harvard Business School website indicates that she is presently on administrative leave.

A man who identified himself as Gino’s husband told The New York Times: “It’s obviously something that is very sensitive that we can’t speak to now.”

A scientist who collaborated on research papers with Gino has informed The Times that he is currently reassessing the studies.

Harvard Business School has chosen not to provide a comment on the issue at this moment. UNILAD has made an attempt to contact Gino for her input on the matter.

Source: Unilad.com

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