Book in Sweden by professor emeritus Kjell Asplund on research misconduct and narcissism

Kjell Asplund, MD and professor emeritus at Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine
has published the book Fuskarna - (My translation of title: The cheaters. On Macchiarini and other's betrayal of science)

It's about several research misconducts, both in Sweden and internationally. He seems to draw parallels between research misconduct and narcissism.

Here are some google translated quotes from an article Kjell Asplund wrote last month for the newspaper Dagens Nyheter:

Narcissism, the self-mirroring, is a prominent personality trait of many academic cheaters. The self-mirroring may be inflated with an enlarged sense of significance - the term "grandios" is often used - and the person may be seeking attention with an excessive need to admire others.

For a skilled narcissist, there are tremendous opportunities to reach out with his magnificent self-image. Success stories can be sold, during the hype phase, the critics are few.

...

The feeling of being superior makes the cheater feel entitled to put himself above the rules set by others. A great self-image contributes to the cheater knowing the answers to the research questions that are already better than anyone else. Why then go the cumbersome detour via experiment or data collection? It is undeniably more convenient to fabricate data at the desktop so that it fits the hypothesis one has.

...

To be regarded by the environment as a leading expert in their field of science, to be admired by younger employees, to receive large research grants, to be invited as a lecturer at world congresses, to be awarded prizes in the presence of prominent people - this world of academic appreciation strengthens self-esteem. It can be seductive, become addictive.

 

Perhaps the author is someone to add to your mailing list @dave30th ? Here's contact info.

 

This is what the Journal of the Swedish Medical Association says in their review of the book:

The author shows that cheating is not a unique exception but rather a phenomenon that can be found in many, perhaps most, academic environments. Survey studies of researchers and doctoral students, also from Sweden, show that a significant proportion of the respondents themselves have witnessed or carried out some form of research fraud. This makes the book particularly suitable for anyone working in medical or other research. It can be warmly recommended to researchers at all levels and should be compulsory literature in all postgraduate courses in research ethics.

Läkartidningen: En bladvändare om forskningsfusk
google translation: A page turner about research misconduct

 

I'm guessing this might be a mistranslation? Suspect it should be "and the person may be seeking attention with an excessive need to admire be admired by others"

 

It has surprised me, in the context of PACE, that in the UK at least, 'research misconduct' doesn't seem to be a 'thing' - at least, not in the sense of a crime or misdemeanour that you can be found guilty of by some sort of official panel.

I wish it was.

 

Correct, @Barry ! Thanks for spotting that.

 

Given the potential consequences for patients down the line, I fully agree. Since learning about such things these past 5 years I've been pretty flabbergasted quite honestly.