For scholars, research integrity is critical.

People frequently believe that when one talks about

research integrity, it implies that one is talking about research misconduct (Shaw and Satalkar,

2018). Nevertheless, research integrity is more than that; it improves the quality, dependability,

and usefulness of all research. Scholars must be able to put their faith on the work of others.

There are countless examples of integrity and its value in the Bible. The Apostle Paul writes to

Timothy in 1 Timothy 1 and encourages him to stay at Ephesus to prevent instructors from

preaching "false teachings" (Standard English Version, 2001). Timothy seemed to have wished

to depart at the time, and Paul's letter was a method to inspire and encourage Timothy to finish

his duty. Timothy was tasked with preventing persons from teaching "false doctrines," and most

colleges now have internal protocols in place to identify and prevent academics from fabricating

studies. The Ohio State University began an investigation into one of its cancer researchers,

ChingShih Chen, in the year 2016 for fabricating data on articles published between 2010 and

2014. Dr. Chen was found to have engaged in scientific misconduct in eight articles, according to

the study. He was found to have departed from recognized methods in figure development,

picture manipulation, and intentionally misrepresenting data (Offord, 2018). "Whoever speaks

the truth delivers honest evidence, but a dishonest witness utters falsehood," says Proverbs 12:17

(Standard English Version, 2001). Dr. Chen did not provide honest proof, and it was determined

in another study he published that he behaved "recklessly by not analyzing or scrutinizing the

data proven to him, resulting to the improper reuse of data." Therefore, as Timothy was

informed, "all Scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3)," it is the truth. The vice president of

compliance at Ohio State Institution reminded staff that the university "takes all complaints of

research misconduct seriously" and is "dedicated to surpassing the federal requirements for
research integrity (Offord, 2018)." It is critical that researchers preserve their integrity, and it is

as critical that universities develop protocols and processes to detect any research misconduct.

References

Offord, C. (2018, April 02). OSU Professor Falsified Data on Eight Papers, Resigns. Retrieved

30th November 2021, from TheScientist: https://www.the-scientist.com/the-nutshell/osu-

professor-falsifieddata-on-eight-papers-resigns-29849

Shaw, D., & Satalkar, P. (2018). Researchers’ interpretations of research integrity: A qualitative

study. Accountability in research, 25(2), 79-93.

Standard English Version. (2001). Standard English Version Online. https://www.openbible.info