Small Science, Little Fraud? Scale and Misconduct in Contemporary Science

Abstract Given that issues of scale and size are commonly used in characterizations of small science, this paper explores their possible relationship with the prevalence of scientific misconduct. The study is based on a detailed review of recent empirical work addressing, both directly and indirectly, different aspects of scale in relation to questionable scientific practices. First, we discuss some problems in conceptualising scientific misconduct. Second, we examine the historical evolution of scientific misconduct, from traditional “epistemological” manipulation to contemporary “post-production” cheating and link it to deeper structural changes in science. Third, we review papers that have examined associations between the size of research groups and projects and other issues of scale, and the risk of misconduct. We conclude that there is substantial evidence that small-scale science affords valuable protection against threats to the values traditionally associated with scientific integrity and research ethics.