Transparency in conducting and reporting research: A survey of authors, reviewers, and editors across scholarly disciplines

Calls have been made for improving transparency in conducting and reporting research, improving work climates, and preventing detrimental research practices. To assess attitudes and practices regarding these topics, we sent a survey to authors, reviewers, and editors. We received 3,659 (4.9%) responses out of 74,749 delivered emails. We found no significant differences between authors', reviewers', and editors' attitudes towards transparency in conducting and reporting research, or towards their perceptions of work climates. Undeserved authorship was perceived by all groups as the most prevalent detrimental research practice, while fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, and not citing prior relevant research, were seen as more prevalent by editors than authors or reviewers. Overall, 20% of respondents admitted sacrificing the quality of their publications for quantity, and 14% reported that funders interfered in their study design or reporting. While survey respondents came from 126 different countries, due to the survey's overall low response rate our results might not necessarily be generalizable. Nevertheless, results indicate that greater involvement of all stakeholders is needed to align actual practices with current recommendations.

Automated summary

Calls have been made to improve transparency in research and work climates, and prevent detrimental research practices. A survey was conducted among authors, reviewers, and editors to assess their attitudes and practices in these areas. The results showed no significant differences in attitudes towards transparency and work climates among the different groups. Fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, and lack of citing prior research were perceived as more prevalent by editors than authors or reviewers. Overall, a considerable proportion of respondents admitted sacrificing quality for quantity and reported interference from funders in study design or reporting. While the respondents were from various countries, the low response rate limits the generalizability of the findings. Nevertheless, the results highlight the need for increased involvement of stakeholders to align practices with current recommendations.