A researcher conducts a mixed-methods study on exercise as a modality of controlling hyperglycemia

Question

The study has both quantitative results, describing the amount that glucose falls with various amounts of exercise, and qualitative results, describing participants' mood and sense of well-being with different kinds of exercise. The researcher decides to publish an article based on the quantitative findings immediately but wait to publish the qualitative results later. What are the reasons that this would not be an instance of researcher misconduct? (Select all that apply.)
a. The data from the quantitative part of the study are reported completely and honestly.
b. The journal does not accept qualitative research.
c. Both "arms" of the study are freestanding.
d. Nobody will know that a qualitative study was performed.
e. No denial of the full scope of data collection is made.

Answer 1

ANS: A, C, E
Research misconduct is defined as "the fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in processing, performing, or reviewing research, or in reporting research results. It does not include honest error or differences in opinion." Fabrication in research is the making up of results and recording or reporting them. Falsification of research is manipulating research materials, equipment, or processes, or changing or omitting data or results such that the research is not accurately represented in the research record. The data from this study were neither fabricated nor falsified; it is the researcher's decision when to disseminate research results.