Exploring the Perception and Approach of Researchers in Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in Regards with Ethical and Legal Issues for Authorship and Bad Publishing

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Research misconducts has become a major pest in research. Various examples of research abuses have been identified from the stage of research formation to the publication of scientific output. These ethical deviations in research lead to the contamination of scientific evidence and the quality degradation of research outputs and the waste of research expenditures. So any research in order to identifying Research misconducts seems to be necessary. Objective: Main objective of this study was exploring the perception and approach of researchers in Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in regards with ethical and legal issues for authorship and bad publishing. Method and Materials: The present study was carried out using exploratory qualitative research method and semi-structured interviews in 2016-2017. The research community comprised of faculty members, editors of journals, jury of papers and dissertations, researchers, and graduate students of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. The sample size of the research was firstly selected through targeted sampling and then with snowball method. The interview was conducted with 27 eligible people. The guidebook for interviewing this study was based on the Delvine-Gary study. The MAXQDA v10 software was used to analyze the findings. Findings: The present study showed that all participants were familiar with concepts of authorship and contributor in research. The data's being obsolete and long time required to refuse or accept an article led researchers to research misconducts. All contributors believed that they should not sacrifice quality to quantity and from this point of view they criticized educational and research policies and plans enforcing researchers to rapid dissemination of scientific works. Participants had a good understanding of the factors influencing successful scientific outputs including quality of work, final report of scientific outputs, adherence to ethics, interdisciplinary research, the use of ethical tricks, collaboration with successful people, especially overseas. Conclusion: The results of this study can have a dramatic effect on creating an ethical system of research, external control and internal supervision, the definition of clear policies for publication by journals, a quantitative revision of the work of researchers, and the development of science ethics with emphasis on quality and teaching of research misconducts.