5/15/2018

The American Physiological Society

Spot the Manipulation: Detecting and Addressing Problem Images Before Publication The Inquiry Process

Christina Bennett, PhD Associate Publisher, Ethics and Policy The American Physiological Society Bethesda, Maryland

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Overview

• Background on the image integrity program at the APS

• Steps for a thorough inquiry process

• Lessons learned WasShouldWhoDoIs this you thisprepared image Ihave acceptreally thefabricated? anthis these original accidental figure? corrections? data? edit? and a few example images

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APS publishes 14 peer-reviewed journals

• AJP-Cell • AJP-Endocrinology and Metabolism • AJP-GI and Liver Physiology • AJP-Heart and Circulatory Physiology • AJP-Lung Molecular and Cellular Physiology • AJP-Regulatory, Integrative, and • AJP- Renal Physiology • Journal of • Journal of Applied Physiology • Physiological Genomics • Advances in Physiology Education • Physiology • Physiological Reviews • Physiological Reports ( with The Physiological Society ) http://www.physiology.org/

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APS created a position to manage ethics concerns: Publications Ethics Manager

Publications Ethics Manager’s roles are to:

• address publication ethics concerns consistently and fairly • facilitate inquiry process efficiently • update and revise ethics policies and author guidelines • promote best practice in publication ethics

• Started January 2011 • PhD: trained physiologist • Full-time • In-house

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APS digital image review process begins after acceptance

Acceptance letter Image review is performed by in- sent to authors house Art Editors Image Review • Zoom in on images in the PDF • Adjust contrast/ brightness Published online • Apply ORI forensic tools in in AiPS (early view) Photoshop • Prepare figure documents Published online/print (copy-edited format)

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Inquiry process to address problem images

Develop action plan to address concern

Inquire and CorrectedProblem request clarification Figure

Evaluate response

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Develop a process to address problem images Consider the following questions: Develop action plan to address concern • What type of image problem was identified? Quick! • What information do you need from the author to resolve the concern? Problem Figure • Does it appear to be something that can be easily corrected?

• Does the manipulation appear to be intentional?

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Who should be involved in the process?

Leadership Committee Staff Art Chair Research Editor Editor expert In Chief Pubs Ethics Staff Director Manager Staff

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Keep the group as small as possible

Committee Art Chair Editor Editor In Chief Pubs Ethics Director Manager

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Be consistent in the inquiry process

• COPE has flowcharts to address concerns about Develop action plan to address concern problem data • CSE has template letters to raise concerns about problem data Inquire and Problem request clarification Figure

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Presentation error template letter

corresponding author note article and concern

state policy

information requested

journal logistics

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Provide a figure document

• ensures that the author sees what you see

• notes the Art Editor’s concerns

• states what is needed to address the concerns

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Timeline for receiving a response

First inquiry letter is sent to the corresponding author.

• No response after one week? – Follow-up letter is sent to ALL authors

• No response after two weeks? – Follow-up letter is sent to ALL authors with a deadline

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Confirm that corrections are appropriate

Develop action plan to address concern

Inquire and CorrectedProblem request clarification Figure

Evaluate response

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Response: Author is able to provide the requested information

If the manipulation is minor, can be corrected, and does not change the findings, then the correction can be accepted.

• Explanation for manipulation • Original captures • Revised figures

With staff and EIC approval, author is invited to submit corrected files and the manuscript proceeds to publication.

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Response: Author is unable to provide the requested information Discuss options with Problem Image group: • Provide additional time if author is confident that it can be addressed • Rescind acceptance to allow author time to repeat experiments • Rescind acceptance if image manipulation is fraud or fabrication • Serious offense: refer to Publications Committee and/or inform institution

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Lessons learned….

This author has their data in order!

Quick response Simple error and easy correction

Manuscript is improved and data are more transparent

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Lessons learned….

No. Writing back before anyone else finds out will not make me go away.

Possibly Quick serious error response

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Lessons learned….

No. Blaming a student does not make the problem image less of an issue.

Possibly Quick serious error response Stick to your inquiry process and be sure that problem images are not fabricated or usedBlames to the misinform the reviewersstudent about the experimental findings.

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The American Physiological Society

Sunday September 23, 2018 9 AM – 6 PM Thank You! The Ohio State University Contact: [email protected] Contact information: Christina Bennett PhD [email protected]

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