{"id":81967,"date":"2017-12-06T16:35:56","date_gmt":"2017-12-06T15:35:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=81967"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:22:54","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:22:54","slug":"film-makes-scientists-think-about-integrity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2017\/12\/06\/film-makes-scientists-think-about-integrity\/","title":{"rendered":"Film makes scientists think about integrity"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Still from 'On Being a Scientist'<\/span><\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure>

In\u00a0On Being a Scientist,<\/em>\u00a0the leader of a research team takes the credit for himself. The team\u2019s research wins a prize, but the person who came up with the breakthrough idea receives no glory. \u201cThe leader appropriated more than he deserved. It\u2019s a problem where just one scientist receives a prize if it\u2019s a group achievement,\u201d said Professor of Medicine Hans Tiddens during the discussion in the room afterwards.<\/p>\n

Doctoral student Oscar Rueda Ochoa could certainly identify with the story. What happened to him was that others appropriated his research idea. \u201cI had a good idea for a study and sought cooperation with other scientists to get it off the ground. Later I saw the publication of my idea without any reference to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Societal influence<\/h3>

Alongside the ownership of ideas, scientific research was also put under the critical spotlight. In the film the main character explains that a study by the Lancet journal showed that 85 percent of biomedical research undertaken is absolute hot air, entirely fabricated simply to be able to publish.<\/p>\n

During the discussion Tiddens noted that he\u2019s also aware of this problem in his own institution. \u201cErasmus MC wants to be in the Top 20 of the best universities, and this creates an enormous pressure to publish, with the emphasis on quantity,\u201d he suggested. \u201cBut the emphasis should in fact be on quality and the societal influence of publications.\u201d<\/p>\n

The hall gradually emptied following the discussion, but a couple of scientists hung back. Doctoral student Marleen Hamoen registered her satisfaction that scientific integrity had been raised during the gathering.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s good that scientific practice is under critical consideration,\u201d she believed, \u201cbecause there\u2019s a lot that could still be improved. The emphasis in scientific research is no longer on scientific progress. Negative outcomes from studies are vitally important for science, but are often not published by journals because positive results are more exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n\t

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Screening\u00a0On Being a Scientist<\/em>\u00a0was the first event in Integrity Week. There are a number of activities<\/a> throughout the week, crowned by Boris Barbour\u2019s lecture at Erasmus MC on Wednesday, 6 December. On Being a Scientist<\/em> can be viewed in its entirety\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n

also<\/h2>