How is fabrication defined in research?

Fabrication in research is specifically defined as the act of making up data or results and reporting them as if they were real and accurate. This definition underscores the seriousness of the ethical breach involved in fabrication, as it undermines the integrity of the research process and can lead to false conclusions that mislead both the scientific community and the public.

This form of misconduct is particularly damaging because it can erode trust in research findings and can adversely impact subsequent research efforts, policy decisions, and public health. Fabrication can occur in various forms, such as inventing experimental findings, altering the data so that it conveys incorrect conclusions, or completely substituting false information for true observations in any scholarly communication.

The other choices touch on misconduct in various ways but do not accurately define fabrication. For example, omitting crucial data can lead to incomplete or biased conclusions but does not involve the creation of false information. Manipulating data might imply altering existing data rather than inventing it outright. Misleading presentations at conferences also relate to unethical conduct but focus more on the presentation rather than the creation of data itself. Overall, the clarity of the definition of fabrication as making up data is critical for understanding the boundaries of ethical research conduct.