I AM writing to express my concerns about the significant number of research paper retractions in Malaysian universities, as highlighted in a recent article in Nature, a multidisciplinary science journal.
Retractions can occur due to mistakes, dishonesty, or problems with the research process.
Despite the substantial growth in the number of scientific papers published in this young nation over the years – a key factor contributing to the high university rankings achieved by an increasing number of Malaysian institutions – it is disconcerting that Malaysia ranks sixth-highest in retraction rates among countries with over 100,000 papers published in the past two decades.
This requires immediate attention.Research integrity is fundamental to academic excellence, and the substantial number of retractions raises questions about the credibility of research from our universities.
This concern affects collaborations, investments and funding, impacting the positive influence of our research and tarnishing the strong reputation built by our scientific forefathers.
Although the severity of the issue may vary from one institution to another, it is vital to recognise the seriousness of the situation and work urgently towards sustainable solutions.
One significant reason for high retraction rates could be insufficient education and enforcement of research ethics.
It is crucial for universities to review and strengthen their research ethics training programmes.
Valuable lessons can be learnt from universities that include such programmes in their onboarding or mandatory training.
Both researchers and students need to understand ethical guidelines, plagiarism detection, and the prevention and consequences of academic misconduct, which should be clearly outlined.
Policies should aim to raise academic standards and effectively curb academic misconduct.
Moreover, universities should establish clear protocols for reporting and investigating suspected ethical breaches to ensure a transparent and accountable research and innovation culture.
It is essential to apply strict rules for students who commit breaches, including terminating scholarships. Similar rules should be established for faculty members proven guilty.
To address privacy concerns, universities could require authors to declare any complaints about their works to their affiliated institutions. This makes the process more transparent.
Investing in advanced plagiarism detection software is another crucial step. This technology acts as a deterrent against plagiarism.
Providing researchers with access to these tools empowers them to ensure the authenticity of their works before submission. This promotes a proactive approach to maintaining research integrity.
Universities could also make plagiarism checks mandatory before every paper submission, similar to how they demand self-checks when reviewing students’ works.
Strengthening research ethics education, establishing clear protocols for reporting and investigating breaches, and investing in advanced plagiarism detection technology are key steps to building a more robust and trustworthy research environment.
Through a commitment to addressing the current challenges, Malaysian universities can overcome them and emerge as leaders in academic integrity and excellence.
PROF DAVID NGO CHEK LING
Deputy vice-chancellor (Academic)
City University
