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Disregarded Conflicting Results with Prior Research: A Case Report in a Leading Biomedical Journal

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Abstract

Bibliographic negligence, i.e. omission of citation of the relevant work of other researchers, is possibly the most common type of research misconduct, leading to unfair loss of priority of authorship and undermining the reward system of science. We report a case of bibliographic negligence which we recently suffered from a leading biomedical journal. The case is discussed in the context of the editorial policy of the journal and of relevant ethical guidelines. Scientific journals should develop codes of conduct for citations. In addition, the implications and consequences of bibliographic negligence deserve thorough investigation.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the anonymous reviewers who provided constructive comments on the earlier version of the paper, which helped to considerably improve it.

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Correspondence to Marco Cosentino.

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Cosentino, M., Marino, F. & Maestroni, G.J.M. Disregarded Conflicting Results with Prior Research: A Case Report in a Leading Biomedical Journal. J Acad Ethics 12, 245–249 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10805-014-9213-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10805-014-9213-3

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