Retraction Watch: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 21:23, 20 February 2025

Retraction Watch

Retraction Watch is a blog that reports on retractions of scientific papers. It was founded in 2010 by science writers Ivan Oransky and Adam Marcus. The blog aims to increase transparency in the scientific process by highlighting cases where research papers are retracted due to errors, misconduct, or other issues.

History[edit]

Retraction Watch was launched in August 2010. The founders, Oransky and Marcus, were motivated by a desire to bring attention to the issue of scientific retractions, which they felt were not adequately covered by the mainstream media. The blog quickly gained attention for its detailed reporting on retractions and its role in promoting accountability in scientific publishing.

Purpose and Impact[edit]

The primary purpose of Retraction Watch is to provide a comprehensive and accessible database of retracted papers. By doing so, it helps researchers, institutions, and the public understand the reasons behind retractions and the impact they have on the scientific community.

Retraction Watch has been credited with raising awareness about the prevalence of scientific misconduct and the importance of maintaining integrity in research. It has also influenced policy changes in how journals and institutions handle retractions.

Retraction Database[edit]

In addition to the blog, Retraction Watch maintains a database of retracted papers. This database is a valuable resource for researchers and institutions, providing detailed information about each retraction, including the reasons for retraction and the parties involved.

Funding and Support[edit]

Retraction Watch is supported by grants and donations from various organizations and individuals. It has received funding from the MacArthur Foundation, the Arnold Foundation, and other philanthropic entities. The blog operates as part of the Center for Scientific Integrity, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting transparency and integrity in science.

Criticism and Challenges[edit]

While Retraction Watch has been praised for its contributions to scientific transparency, it has also faced criticism. Some argue that the blog can be overly critical and may damage the reputations of researchers involved in retractions. Others have raised concerns about the potential for bias in its reporting.

Despite these challenges, Retraction Watch continues to be a respected source of information on scientific retractions and a catalyst for discussions about research integrity.

Also see[edit]

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Retraction Watch logo

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-[[File:Retraction_Watch_logo.webp|thumb|Retraction Watch logo.webp]] '''Retraction Watch''' is a blog that reports on retractions of scientific papers and on related topics concerning the integrity of the scientific publishing process. Founded in 2010 by Ivan Oransky, a medical journalist, and Adam Marcus, a science writer and editor, Retraction Watch has become a significant resource for researchers, journalists, and the public interested in the self-correcting nature of science and the issues surrounding the reliability of the published scientific record.
+Retraction Watch
-==Overview==
+Retraction Watch is a blog that reports on retractions of scientific papers. It was founded in 2010 by science writers [[Ivan Oransky]] and [[Adam Marcus]]. The blog aims to increase transparency in the scientific process by highlighting cases where research papers are retracted due to errors, misconduct, or other issues.
-Retraction Watch focuses on the retraction of scientific papers, a process where published results are withdrawn from the scientific literature. Retractions can occur for a variety of reasons, including errors, fraud, plagiarism, and ethical breaches. The blog aims to increase transparency in the scientific process by reporting on these retractions, providing details on the reasons behind them, and discussing their implications for science and research integrity.
-==Importance of Retractions==
+== History ==
-Retractions are an essential aspect of the scientific process, allowing the literature to be corrected and ensuring that research builds on a reliable foundation. However, the process of retraction and the reasons behind retractions are often not transparent. Retraction Watch addresses this issue by investigating and reporting on retractions, bringing attention to the mechanisms of self-correction within science and the challenges to research integrity.
+Retraction Watch was launched in August 2010. The founders, Oransky and Marcus, were motivated by a desire to bring attention to the issue of scientific retractions, which they felt were not adequately covered by the mainstream media. The blog quickly gained attention for its detailed reporting on retractions and its role in promoting accountability in scientific publishing.
-==Content and Features==
+== Purpose and Impact ==
-Retraction Watch provides detailed reports on individual retractions, analyses of trends in retractions, and features on broader issues related to scientific publishing, research integrity, and the impact of retractions on the scientific community. The blog also maintains a database of retractions, offering a searchable resource for researchers and the public to explore the retraction record.
+The primary purpose of Retraction Watch is to provide a comprehensive and accessible database of retracted papers. By doing so, it helps researchers, institutions, and the public understand the reasons behind retractions and the impact they have on the scientific community.
-==Impact==
+Retraction Watch has been credited with raising awareness about the prevalence of scientific misconduct and the importance of maintaining integrity in research. It has also influenced policy changes in how journals and institutions handle retractions.
-Retraction Watch has had a significant impact on the scientific community and the broader public's understanding of scientific integrity. By highlighting cases of fraud, error, and other issues leading to retractions, the blog has contributed to a greater awareness of the importance of vigilance and transparency in science. It has also influenced journals and publishers to adopt more rigorous and transparent policies regarding retractions.
-==Criticism and Challenges==
+== Retraction Database ==
-While Retraction Watch has been praised for its role in promoting transparency and integrity in science, it has also faced criticism. Some researchers argue that the blog's focus on retractions can unfairly tarnish reputations and emphasize negative aspects of the scientific process. Retraction Watch addresses these concerns by striving to report accurately and fairly, emphasizing that retractions are a normal and necessary part of scientific discourse.
+In addition to the blog, Retraction Watch maintains a database of retracted papers. This database is a valuable resource for researchers and institutions, providing detailed information about each retraction, including the reasons for retraction and the parties involved.
-==Conclusion==
+== Funding and Support ==
-Retraction Watch plays a crucial role in the scientific community by shining a light on the retraction process and its implications for research integrity. Through its reporting, the blog promotes a more transparent, reliable, and self-correcting scientific literature, contributing to the advancement of science and the public's trust in scientific research.
+Retraction Watch is supported by grants and donations from various organizations and individuals. It has received funding from the [[MacArthur Foundation]], the [[Arnold Foundation]], and other philanthropic entities. The blog operates as part of the Center for Scientific Integrity, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting transparency and integrity in science.
+== Criticism and Challenges ==
+While Retraction Watch has been praised for its contributions to scientific transparency, it has also faced criticism. Some argue that the blog can be overly critical and may damage the reputations of researchers involved in retractions. Others have raised concerns about the potential for bias in its reporting.
+Despite these challenges, Retraction Watch continues to be a respected source of information on scientific retractions and a catalyst for discussions about research integrity.
+== Also see ==
+* [[Scientific Misconduct]]
+* [[Peer Review]]
+* [[Open Access]]
+* [[Research Integrity]]
+{{Retraction Watch}}
 [[Category:Science blogs]]
 [[Category:Scientific misconduct]]
-[[Category:Academic publishing]]
+[[Category:Science journalism]]
-{{stub}}
+<gallery>
+File:Retraction_Watch_logo.webp|Retraction Watch logo
+</gallery>