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The legal quagmire, strain and bad press of misconduct investigations leave many universities tempted to ignore misconduct allegations. But getting an investigation right can reduce the pain and boost an institution's reputation, says Geoff Brumfiel.
Understanding the social and psychological factors behind scientific misconduct will enable bad practice to be minimized, but never eliminated, says Jim Giles.
Nature catches up with some past fraud investigations — and finds that, whether researchers are found to be guilty or innocent, the wounds are slow to heal.