Organizational Factors Related to Research Misconduct with Emphasis on Professional Ethics in Research

Studies indicate that research misconduct has increased in higher education, therefore, it is necessary to identify the areas and factors affecting it, so that strategies can be introduced to reduce the research misconduct. Regarding the importance of the subject, the present study examines the factors related to research misconduct.

It is an applied descriptive-correlation research.The statistical population of the study consisted of all faculty members, senior students and Ph.D. Students of Isfahan University of Isfahan (Isfahan University, Isfahan University of Technology, Art University and the University of Medical Sciences) were 20487 that 377 person were selected as the statistical sample using using stratified sampling and through the Cochran sampling formula. A standard questionnaires were used to collect data. To analyze the data, structural equation modeling was used.

Results showed that weak monitoring has a positive relation with research misconduct. The results also showed that weak monitoring has a mediating role in the relationship between laws and regulations, organizational climate, structural barriers with research misconduct.

Based on the findings of this research, it can be said that many organizational factors (laws, regulations, organizational climate, structural barriers and poor monitoring) has a positive effect on research misconduct, which should be used to provide solutions to reduce these behaviors.