Research Misconduct: Selective Reporting and Data Manipulation
The researcher's failure to report the managed mild bleeding complication represents selective reporting and data manipulation, which constitutes a violation of research integrity principles and ethical misconduct in clinical trial reporting. 1
Classification of the Ethical Violation
This scenario does not fall under the traditional bioethical principles of justice, non-maleficence, or autonomy. Instead, it represents research misconduct through selective reporting—a distinct category of ethical violation in scientific research. 1
Specific Type of Research Misconduct
Selective reporting occurs when findings with unfavorable impact are deliberately withheld from the final report, which is precisely what happened when the researcher omitted the bleeding complication. 1
Data manipulation is demonstrated by the intentional exclusion of adverse events that occurred during the study, even though they were successfully managed. 1
This behavior constitutes biased and inconsistent reporting, which leads to irreproducible results and erosion of public trust in science. 1
Reporting Requirements in Clinical Research
All adverse and unanticipated events must be reported in research, regardless of whether they were successfully managed or resolved without lasting harm. 1
The obligation for full disclosure of negative results is imperative in clinical trial reporting, as required by major medical organizations. 1
Even mild bleeding that was managed successfully represents a complication that must be documented to provide accurate safety data for the new endoscopic surgery technique. 2
Why This Matters
Impaired study validity results from selective reporting, which may lead to patients suffering unnecessarily when the procedure is adopted based on incomplete safety data. 1
Irreproducible results and substantial waste of resources are direct consequences of this type of research misconduct. 1
Loss of public trust in the scientific enterprise occurs when such misconduct is discovered, damaging the credibility of clinical research. 1
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Researchers often rationalize omitting complications that were "successfully managed" or had "no lasting consequences," but this violates fundamental reporting standards. 1
The severity or outcome of the complication is irrelevant—all adverse events must be reported to provide accurate risk assessment for future patients. 1
Failure to report complications pollutes the medical literature and can result in patient injury when other surgeons adopt techniques without complete safety information. 3