Stealing Into Print

Incidents of fraud have struck recently at the heart of the scientific enterprise and shaken the confidence of a society accustomed to thinking of scientists as selfless seekers of the truth. This is an examination of the world of scientific publishing in which such incidents of misconduct take place. Because influential scientific journals have been involved in the controversies, the author focuses on the fragile "peer review" process - the editorial systems of seeking prepublication opinions from experts. She addresses the cultural glorification of science, which, combined with a scientist's thirst for achievement, can seem to make cheating worth the danger, and describes the great risks taken by the accusers - whom she calls "nemesis figures" - for their relentless dedication to uncovering dishonesty. In sober warning, LaFollette notes that impatient calls from government, journalists and taxpayers for greater accountability from scientists have important implications for the entire system of scientific research and communication.