Responsible Conduct in Data Management
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What would you do if someone pointed out a mistake in your work before submitting a final report?
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What would you do if someone pointed out a mistake in your work before submitting a final report?
 
 
 
 

Dr. Porter has just completed the draft of a final report 1 ½ weeks before the submission deadline to the sponsoring agency. He has asked an advanced graduate student who is familiar with the field to proofread/review the document. Almost a week passes before she returns the document with several positive comments. However, there is a slight concern about curious inconsistencies in the data results.

Following close scrutiny, you notice that there may have been a problem in one of the instruments collecting data. According to the research protocol, the instrument in question was required to have an inspection and recalibration every six months to ensure its accuracy. However, the inspection was missed for one cycle, and, as it turns out, the measurement of several variables was inaccurate.

Although, the newly discovered finding does not directly impact the main findings and interpretation, it may compromise the credibility of the study. What do you do?

Taking the role of the researcher, decide to act on one of the following options:

select1 button

Since the inconsistency does not directly relate to the primary research questions, Dr. Porter ignores the findings, and submits the report as written.
select2 button

Since the inconsistency do not directly relate to the main research questions, Dr. Porter ignores the findings, and submits the report. However, she adds an addendum explaining the error, and the justification for discounting its overall impact.
select3 button

Dr. Porter postpones submission, missing the submission deadline, and seek to rectify the discovered mistake.