I am planning to write an essay on the possible ways to "improve" quantitative data. I believe it is important to openly discuss "strategies" that are used among social scientists (presumably not only) to obtain the desired statistical significance. Where is the boundary between modification, manipulation, fabrication or falsification of statistical data?
I would appreciate if you share your comments, experiences and ideally references to this subject.
Thank you in advance!
The work is done. For those who might be interested in the topic, I provide a reference list that I used.
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Daniels, K. (2016). An editorial in four parts. European Journal of work and organizational psychology, 25(3), 329-334. doi:10.1080/1359432X.2016.1145669
De Veaux, R. D., & Hand, D. J. (2005). How to lie with bad data. Statistical Science, 231-238.
Fanelli, D. (2009). How many scientists fabricate and falsify research? A systematic review and meta-analysis of survey data. PloS one, 4(5), e5738.
Hofmann, B., Myhr, A. I., & Holm, S. (2013). Scientific dishonesty—a nationwide survey of doctoral students in Norway. BMC medical ethics, 14(1), 1.
Huff, D. (1954). How to lie with statistics. New York: Norton.
Humphreys, M., de la Sierra, R. S., & Van der Windt, P. (2013). Fishing, commitment, and communication: A proposal for comprehensive nonbinding research registration. Political Analysis, 21(1), 1-20.
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Sechrest, L. B. (1987). Approaches to ensuring quality of data and performance: Lessons for Science. Scientific Excellence: Origins and achievement, 253-283.
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Smith, R. (2006). Research misconduct: the poisoning of the well. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 99(5), 232-237.
Steen, R. G. (2010). Retractions in the scientific literature: is the incidence of research fraud increasing? Journal of medical ethics, jme. 2010.040923.
Steneck, N. H. (2006). Fostering integrity in research: Definitions, current knowledge, and future directions. Science and engineering ethics, 12(1), 53-74.
Wainer, H. (2004). Visual Revelations: Curbstoning IQ and the 2000 Presidential Election. Chance, 17(4), 43-46.
Werner-Felmayer, G. (2010). Rethinking the Meaning of Being a Scientist-The Role of Scientific Integrity Boards and Some Thoughts about Scientific Culture. Med. & L., 29, 329.
White, H. (2000). A reality check for data snooping. Econometrica, 68(5), 1097-1126.
Whitley, B. E., Kite, M. E., & Adams, H. L. (2012). Principles of research in behavioral science: Routledge.
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