Dr Leslie McIntosh, Vice President of Research Integrity at Digital Science, recently shared her insights on how Dimensions Author Check addresses some of the challenges related to research integrity. With the changes in open science, globalization, and technology, tools that reinforce the integrity of research have become important.

The changing research landscape

According to Dr McIntosh, three forces are reshaping science: open science, globalization, and technological innovation. Open science has democratized access to research, enabling knowledge to flow more freely, globalization has fostered international collaboration, while technology has transformed how science is conducted and communicated. However, these changes have come with significant challenges. “The scaffolding of trust around open science hasn’t been fully built,” Dr McIntosh explains, emphasizing the vulnerabilities these developments bring, such as “junk science” and fake authorship. The unspoken principles that once underpinned research now need to be codified to ensure the integrity of science can withstand these transformations, she says.

The role of tools like Dimensions Author Check 

Dimensions Author Check addresses the critical need for author verification and credibility assessment. Dr McIntosh describes it as “starting with the basics”: “Are these authors real? Do they have a track record that aligns with their claims?” By confirming author identities and analyzing their networks, the tool provides a filter for open science. “It is much like filtering river water for safe consumption,” she says. “Think of open access to information as drinking directly from a river: it becomes essential to filter it to ensure that the information is safe for consumption. In the same way, flagging out factors in research papers that appear unusual is a step in ensuring that the scientific output is likely to be more robust,” she explains.

The tool’s development was guided by user feedback. Features such as identifying flagged papers and analyzing unusual collaboration networks arose from iterative discussions with researchers, institutions, and publishers. Early adopters, such as Sage, have specifically underlined Dimensions Author Check’s importance in daily workflows because of its ease of use and efficiency. 

Ethical use and global sensitivity

Dr McIntosh emphasizes the ethical considerations that have been and should continue to be integral to Author Check’s development. WIth regard to its use, publishers, in particular, play a significant role, she says. “Publications are golden when it comes to promotions, scientific exchanges, and policymaking,” she notes, highlighting the responsibility of publishers to ensure ethical outputs. And while Dimensions Author Check can be an important step in flagging papers that might show unusual patterns, Dr McIntosh explains that biases related to naming conventions, regional differences, and linguistic nuances must be addressed. For instance, researchers from countries with complex naming conventions or lower-income regions might face unique challenges in maintaining their credibility. “Feedback from diverse users is critical to minimizing these biases,” she says. To ensure responsible use, Dr McIntosh advocates for integrating expert judgment with technological solutions. “You can’t rely solely on technology without human expertise,” she says. And so, Dimensions Author Check complements, rather than replaces, the expertise of research integrity officers and people whose roles are to specifically ensure trust and integrity in science and research.

Addressing emerging trends in misconduct

It is clear in the scientific publishing world that advances in technology have enabled new forms of misconduct, such as AI-generated articles and fabricated data. And while Dimensions Author Check identifies anomalies like inorganic collaboration networks and suspiciously rapid publication rates, it does not determine how misconduct occurs. “What it does is flag patterns for further investigation,” Dr McIntosh underlines. She points out the rise in subtle tactics to evade detection tools. “As one type of misconduct decreases, another emerges,” she explains, highlighting the need for continuous innovation to stay ahead of bad actors. In addition, nuanced cases, such as retractions, need to be carefully examined. “Not all retractions are due to malpractice.” To address this, Dimensions Author Check incorporates a taxonomy of retractions, distinguishing between errors and deliberate misconduct. “This helps users make informed decisions based on comprehensive information,” she adds.

Looking ahead

Tools like Dimensions Author Check will play a central role in safeguarding scientific integrity, according to Dr McIntosh. “Trusted research is the single most transformational force for the long-term improvement of society,” she says. Challenges to addressing and strengthening research integrity will continue to exist and evolve, but Dr McIntosh thinks the research community can adapt. “We need to own the scholarly narrative and safeguard the integrity of our outputs,” she says. With tools like Dimensions Author Check, the research ecosystem can move forward on a foundation of trust, collaboration, and shared responsibility.

If you want more information on how Dimensions can be used to support publishers and authors, contact the Dimensions team.

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