Honest?

March 16th, 2024| Topic: RaMbLeS | 0

The Wall Street Journal reported recently that a Harvard University probe into the work of prominent researcher Prof. Francesca Gino (of Harvard Business School) had found profound problems:

After reviewing the available evidence and interviewing Professor Gino and several witnesses, the Investigation Committee has determined, by a preponderance of the evidence, that Professor Gino significantly departed from accepted practices of the relevant research community and committed research misconduct intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly.”

Her work contained manipulated data, said the Committee, after a months-long probe conducted in 2022 and 2023 of four papers she had published. They recommended that the university audit Gino’s other experimental work, request retractions of three of the papers (the fourth had already been retracted at the time they reviewed it), and place Gino on unpaid leave while taking steps to terminate her employment.

All this in a voluminous court filing that offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at research misconduct investigations. It is part of a continuing legal fight with Gino, a behavioral scientist who had sued the university and a trio of data bloggers for $25 million. The investigative report had remained secret until this week, when the judge in the case granted Harvard’s request to file the document (some 1,300 pages long) as an exhibit.

The Investigation Committee believes that the severity of the research misconduct that Professor Gino has committed calls for appropriately severe institutional action.”

Harvard started looking into Gino’s work in October 2021 after a group of behavioral scientists who write about statistical methods on their blog complained to the university that data in her papers appeared falsified. The committee tapped to look into this matter concluded that in the various studies, Gino had edited observations in ways that made the results fit hypotheses.

According to the documents, Gino suggested that most of the problems highlighted in her work could have been the result of honest error, made by herself or research assistants who frequently worked on the data. The investigative committee rejected that explanation because Gino didn’t give evidence that explained “major anomalies and discrepancies.” The investigative committee also rejected another excuse given that third parties had tampered with her data with “malicious intent.” The Committee:

Although we acknowledge that the theory of a malicious actor might be remotely possible, we do not find it plausible.”

Gino sued the university in August, arguing that the investigation was flawed and biased.

And the funny (?) thing about all this? Gino’s work deals with the reasons people lie and cheat in real life! Can you believe that? Honesty researcher is apparently dishonest!

But declared Gino:

I do take integrity seriously. I have not manipulated nor fabricated data, and I’ve not written papers that intend to mislead readers with the way studies are described.”

The lawsuit has generated a surge of support for the bloggers (who were sued), with other researchers launching a GoFundMe to support their legal fees. That fund is approaching $400,000. Harvard and these bloggers are soon to make arguments to dismiss Gino’s claims.

You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness;
with You no evil dwells. …
You destroy those who speak falsehood;
the person of bloodshed and deceit Yahweh abhors.
For there is no truthfulness in his mouth; ….
An open tomb their throat; with their tongue they flatter.
Psalm 5:4, 6, 9

But I—in Your abundant lovingkindness, I enter Your house;
I bow down at Your holy temple in fear of You.
Yahweh, lead me in Your righteousness; … make Your path straight before me.
For You—You bless the righteous one, Yahweh.
Psalm 5:7–8, 12

Amen!

SOURCE: The Wall Street Journal; Court Listener