A press release led to a preliminary inquiry

According to the RCR notification, the participants of a technology project in a university were alleged to be guilty of disregard for responsible conduct of research by publicising misleading and distorting information about the research results as well as the scientific significance and applicability of these results.

A press release about the project results had aroused suspicion. In spite of his/her request, the person who made the notification was not shown the research behind the press release. The person made an RCR notification to the university, but the university did not initiate an RCR process.

When a serious allegation is made against a research team, TENK considers that it is beneficial to all parties concerned to investigate the matter in an RCR process. After having received TENK’s statement, the university initiated a preliminary investigation in accordance with the RCR process.