Research fraud: Why nurses should become aware

As treatment and care given to patients should be evidence-based, nurses are becoming more involved in the conduct of research. However, research results based on fraudulent findings can have a serious impact on patient care. It is important, therefore, that nurses know how fraud may be perpetuated so that they do not risk unknowingly abetting or committing fraud themselves. Those who commit such acts stand to lose their academic credibility, the respect of their colleagues, and their livelihood. Mechanisms need to be developed within each institution to facilitate the conduct of quality research that can be audited. Nurses need to be advocates for quality research in the realisation that respect for the research findings will be achieved by respect for the maintenance of standards.