Diederik Stapel

Who is Diederik Stapel?

• Dutch researcher social psychology at Tilburg University
• Fabricated most of his research data for years
• Stripped of titles, research worthless

Who were involved?

• A number of other contributors (whether active or passive) to his misconduct
• Reputation University
• Scientists are collectively responsible for the research that is published

What values are at stake in this case?

• Trustworthiness
• Success/prestige

Ethical Issues

• Stapel committed fraud in his research
• He fabricated results, on which he based numerous articles
• Stapel had the function of role model

How should we address problems like this?

• We need to evaluate what it is that we want and need from science

What do you learn from week 1?

• The system of scientific publications is fragile
• Untrustworthiness of research is directly related to the ability of science to conduct further research
• It is in sciences best self-interest to regulate and control the quality and validity of its researchers and publications

Discussion

• Trial by media
• Should the climate of research be changed with more regulation?