Which research principle was violated when a researcher omitted reporting a minor postoperative infection in a study evaluating a new laparoscopic surgery?

Research Integrity Violation: Integrity (Answer C)

The researcher violated the principle of Integrity by selectively omitting the postoperative infection from the study report, which constitutes data manipulation and selective reporting of adverse events.

Understanding the Violation

The act of deliberately excluding a complication—regardless of whether the researcher considers it "minor"—represents a fundamental breach of research integrity through selective reporting 1, 2. This is not a matter of non-maleficence (which concerns preventing harm to participants) or justice (which concerns fair distribution of research benefits and burdens), but rather a violation of the researcher's obligation to report findings honestly and completely 2.

Why This Constitutes an Integrity Violation

Full disclosure of all adverse events is imperative in clinical trial reporting, including complications that were successfully managed 1. The American Heart Association explicitly states that selective reporting of results, where findings with unfavorable impact on a device or procedure are deliberately withheld, constitutes research misconduct 1.

• All complications and adverse or unanticipated events must be described in detail, regardless of severity or outcome 1
• The researcher does not have discretion to determine which adverse events are "reportable" based on personal judgment of severity 2
• Even successfully managed complications provide critical safety data for evaluating new surgical techniques 2

The Specific Nature of Integrity Violations

Integrity in research encompasses:

• Honesty in reporting all study results, both favorable and unfavorable 1, 2
• Completeness and accuracy in documenting adverse events 1, 2
• Transparency about all outcomes that occurred during the study 3, 4

The researcher's decision to omit the infection represents selective reporting that distorts the true safety profile of the laparoscopic procedure 1. This selective publication undermines the credibility of clinical research and can lead to patients suffering unnecessarily when procedures are adopted based on incomplete safety data 2, 3.

Consequences of This Violation

• Impaired study validity that may result in harm to future patients who undergo the procedure without complete safety information 2
• Erosion of public trust in the scientific enterprise 2, 3
• Irreproducible results when other researchers cannot replicate the reported safety profile 1, 2
• Potential regulatory consequences for the researcher and institution 3, 4

Critical Distinction from Other Principles

This scenario does not primarily involve:

• Non-maleficence: The patient was not harmed by the research conduct itself; the infection was managed appropriately with no complications
• Justice: There is no issue of unfair subject selection or inequitable distribution of research benefits and burdens

The violation is purely one of research integrity—the failure to honestly and completely report study findings 2, 3, 4.