False Prophets: Fraud and Error in Science and Medicine

Discusses experimenter effects, self-deception, incorrect data, political influences, hoaxes, drug testing, grant applications, and plagiarism, and explains how to prevent scientific fraud

Who cheats in science and how often does cheating occur? These and other questions are the subject of this revealing study of scientific misconduct. Kohn, professor of virology at Tel Aviv University and editor of the Journal of Irreproducible Results , examines the ways investigators unintentionally make errors through personal bias or visual limitations or intentionally "cook" and "trim" data. He describes in fascinating detail instances of blatant cheating, famous hoaxes, plagiarism, and forgeries, and he explores the pressures which contribute to cheating and ways in which fraud is detected. Evidence suggests that even such famous scientists as Newton and Mendel may have fudged data to support their theories. Kohn presents a sensitive, balanced, and fully documented account which should generate much useful dialogue. For public and academic libraries. Laurie Bartolini, Illinois State Museum, Springfield
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.