Authors whose work has been retracted often build larger networks than do those without retractions, a study found.Credit: Halfpoint/iStock via Getty
Retractions can dramatically impact researchers’ careers, sometimes in surprising ways, according to a study that tracked the career paths of thousands of authors.
This study raises important questions about whether the retraction process—an essential part of scientific integrity—is functioning as it should. Co-author Shahan Ali Memon, an information scientist at the University of Washington in Seattle, emphasizes that “retractions play a crucial role in validating scientific evidence, but their consequences go well beyond simply ‘correcting the record’.” He urges the scientific community to assess whether existing procedures serve their intended purpose, or if they inadvertently harm the individuals affected.
Memon and his team analyzed 4,578 papers, involving nearly 15,000 authors, that were retracted between 1990 and 2015. Their findings, published in Nature Human Behaviour in April, revealed that around 45.9% of authors ceased publishing around the time their work was retracted.
The study indicated that early-career researchers were more prone to stop publishing after a retraction, particularly those whose papers were retracted due to misconduct or plagiarism, as well as those whose retracted works attracted significant online attention.
Interestingly, researchers who continued to publish after a retraction tended to form larger professional networks compared to those without retractions. These individuals often collaborated with less experienced and less productive co-authors, but also gained connections with more impactful co-authors post-retraction, as measured by citation counts.
More research is needed to explore these dynamics, but Memon urges academic publishers and institutions to treat retracted authors as individuals with unique circumstances, rather than a monolithic group in need of blanket policies.
The Retraction Experience
Retractions can happen for various reasons, not just misconduct like fraud or plagiarism. Other reasons include honest errors or issues with reproducibility. Complex research can sometimes yield unexpected mistakes that aren’t always easily corrected. In such cases, a retraction followed by thorough revision and republication might be the best course, as demonstrated in 2019 when Nature accepted a previously retracted paper.
“Context matters,” stresses Memon. “Institutions should carefully examine the circumstances surrounding each retraction.”
The study was inspired by the personal experiences of co-authors Bedoor AlShebli and Kinga Makovi from New York University Abu Dhabi, whose 2020 Nature Communications paper faced retraction due to criticism and journal investigation. Their research claimed that female scientists benefit more from mentorship by men than by women, which sparked significant debate.
Summary: A recent study reveals that retractions can significantly impact researchers’ careers, sometimes resulting in unexpected outcomes. It stresses the importance of understanding the reasons behind retractions and treating affected authors as individuals rather than just cases. The research indicates that while many authors stop publishing after a retraction, those who continue often build larger networks.
