Doing your own research isn't a bad thing, I tell my patients. But just how will they spot the fraudulent papers? | Ranjana Srivastava

The proliferation of fake research has become a pressing concern in academia, with the potential for devastating consequences for patients and society as a whole.

As an oncologist, Ranjana Srivastava's experience with unsolicited emails offering research opportunities is not unusual. These invitations often promise prestige, recognition, and even book deals without requiring significant time or effort. However, a closer examination of these offers reveals a sinister reality: many are mere scams designed to exploit unsuspecting researchers.

The data on the scale of fraudulent publishing is alarming. According to a study by Northwestern University, large-scale systematic fraud is happening on an industrial-sized level. The doubling time of scientific papers is 15 years, but that of fraudulent scientific papers is just one and a half years. This means that nearly 400,000 suspect papers were published between 2000 and 2022.

The cancer literature is particularly vulnerable to this type of fraud. With its vast array of treatments and complex molecular mechanisms, it's relatively easy to fabricate data or images to make a manuscript appear credible. The rise of artificial intelligence has lowered the entry barrier for creating fake research, making it increasingly difficult for gatekeepers to detect.

The consequences of fraudulent research are far-reaching. Patients who turn to the internet for information on cancer treatment may be exposed to unproven treatments or false hope. Those who rely solely on their own research may end up seeking unnecessary and expensive care.

It's essential that researchers, policymakers, and the public become more vigilant about the dangers of fraudulent publishing. This includes investing in funding for good research, supporting reputable publishers, and raising public awareness about the scope of this problem.

As Srivastava notes, doing one's own research can be a valuable asset for patients, but it requires critical thinking and discernment. Patients must be aware that not everything they read online is reliable or trustworthy. Healthcare professionals like Srivastava must also be more proactive in addressing these issues, working to stem the tide of fraudulent publishing and protect the integrity of scientific research.

Ultimately, the pursuit of truth and accuracy in research is essential for advancing our understanding of cancer and other diseases. By prioritizing quality over quantity and promoting transparency, we can ensure that patients receive evidence-based care and that researchers are held accountable for their work.

I'm so fed up with these fake research scams ! It's like, how hard is it to fact-check and verify the info? I've seen my fave doc, Ranjana Srivastava, deal with tons of unsolicited emails offering 'research opportunities' that are basically just scams . And now, apparently, nearly 400k fake papers were published between 2000 and 2022 ?! That's insane! Cancer literature is already complex enough, the last thing we need is unproven treatments being peddled to patients . We need to step up our game and support good research, invest in reputable publishers, and educate people on what to look out for online . It's not that hard to be critical thinkers and not take everything online at face value !

this is wild... 400k fake papers? that's insane i need to see the study behind this number, how did they come up with it? and what makes cancer literature so vulnerable to this type of fraud? is it just because there's a lot of money at stake or something?

I'm super worried about this fake research thing ! I mean, think about it, if some random person is publishing papers on cancer treatment just to get attention or make money, it's a huge risk to patient safety. And the fact that AI can help create fake data makes it even harder to detect. We need to support researchers who are doing real, quality work and also educate patients on how to spot a scam online . The cancer community is already dealing with so much pressure, we shouldn't have to worry about fake research too .

I'm low-key freaked out by this fake research stuff . I mean, think about it - if even a few bad apples can ruin the entire academic system, what's to stop them from messing with our health? Like, patients deserve to know what they're getting themselves into when it comes to treatment options . We need to get better at spotting these scams and supporting legit researchers who actually care about making a difference .

I'm super concerned about this fake research thing . I mean, think about it - if people are making up research just to get a book deal or recognition, it's not just harming the person trying to scam them, but also all of us who rely on accurate info to make life-changing decisions . And it's crazy how fast these fake papers can spread - 15 years for real research, 1.5 years for fake stuff? That's insane! We need to be way more careful about where we're getting our info from and support legit researchers and publishers . Patients are already dealing with so much uncertainty when it comes to their health, the last thing they need is some dodgy research giving them false hope .

I'm not buying all this fake research hype . I mean, come on 400k suspect papers published in 22 yrs? That's like saying everyone's lying except me . And what's with the speed of fabrication? One and a half years? That's crazy fast! Anyway, if you're gonna do your own research, at least fact-check it first . Can't just take everything online as gospel truth. We need more transparency in publishing and accountability from researchers. It's not that hard to spot a fake paper... unless you're a gatekeeper with too much on their plate .

fake research is like a bad guy from the matrix , it's all around us, but we cant see it. oncologists like ranjana srivastava are dealing with these scammers every day, its like theyre playing a never ending game of whack a mole . but for real, 400k fake papers is just crazy talk , and when it comes to cancer research, its like the whole world is holding its breath, waiting to see if this new treatment will really work or not . we gotta be more careful, invest in good research, support legit publishers, and educate ourselves on how to spot a fake . patients lives depend on it .

I'm like super worried about this fake research thingy it's so easy to get duped into thinking a study is legit when really it's just made-up info I mean, 400k suspect papers between 2000 and 2022? That's wild! And the cancer literature being particularly vulnerable to this? It's like, patients are literally putting their lives at risk because of some dodgy research

I think we need to step up our game when it comes to fact-checking and transparency in research we can't just keep swallowing everything that's thrown our way. We need to invest in funding for good research, support reputable publishers, and educate the public about what's going on It's not rocket science, but it does require a bit of critical thinking

I also feel like healthcare professionals like Dr Srivastava are doing an amazing job trying to combat this issue we need more people like them who are willing to speak out and advocate for truth in research

The whole fake research thing is super worrying . I mean, who wouldn't want to publish something just for the recognition and prestige? But seriously, it's not just about individual researchers doing bad things, it's a massive industrial-scale problem that's affecting entire fields like cancer research. And it's crazy how quickly fake papers can get published - 1.5 years is insane! We need to make sure that we're supporting the good guys, like Dr Srivastava, and getting rid of the bad apples who are making a mess for everyone else.

I think one of the biggest issues here is that fake research can be really persuasive online. Patients might come across some "study" on social media or a forum and it sounds legit, but it's actually just fabricated. We need to make sure we're not just swallowing whatever information we find online without questioning it first . It's also crucial that researchers and publishers are held accountable for their work - if you can't be trusted, then why should anyone trust your findings?

Can't believe how easy it is to fabricate research nowadays 400k suspect papers published in just 22 yrs? That's wild! And it's not just cancer literature, anyone can be a 'researcher' with AI tools . We need to make sure patients aren't getting misled online, and researchers are held accountable for their work . More funding for legit research & transparency in publishing would be a good start

omg this is insane like fake research is a HUGE deal and ppl think its all just some random scam but nope it's on an INDUSTRIAL scale 400k suspect papers published in just 22 yrs is mindblowing i mean whats the point of doing legit research if people are just gonna cherry pick and make it up themselves? we need to get better at vetting researchers and holding them accountable for their work ASAP

omg 400k fake papers published in 22 yrs?! thats wild research is supposed to be about discovery not scams lol. like how can ppl just make up data and publish it? its so easy to get caught with ai nowadays tho but still need more funding for good stuff, dont wanna rely on gov $$ tho. gotta keep researchers & patients safe from fake info

I'm like so worried about this fake research thing it's already bad enough with misinformation online but fake research papers? That's a whole new level of crazy. As someone who values health and wellness, I just want to make sure we're getting accurate info on our cancer treatments and stuff. It's not fair to patients who are already going through so much. We need to be more careful about where we get our info from and support good research that's being done honestly

I think it's a total non-issue, lol . I mean, what's the harm in a little bit of fake research? It's not like it's gonna kill anyone... right? And let's be real, how many times have you actually read the entire paper before accepting its findings? probably never, right? And as for patients seeking information online, they're basically just looking for a quick fix or a way to get ahead of their disease. A little bit of unproven treatment isn't gonna hurt them, it's all about perspective!

I'm literally so worried about this fake research thing . Like, I get it, people want to be famous or get a book deal, but scamming others is just not cool . And the fact that nearly 400k papers were published in 22 years? That's insane! Cancer patients are already stressed enough, they don't need to worry about getting fake info online .

I think we need to be way more aware of this stuff and support legit researchers who do real work. And let's not forget about AI - it's making it super easy for scammers to create fake research . But on the other hand, I guess AI is also helping us detect these scams better .

As a fan of medical experts like Ranjana Srivastava, I appreciate her advice to be critical and don't do your own research unless you're sure it's legit . And honestly, I think it's time for policymakers to invest in good research and stuff . We can't let fake research ruin everything .

OMG, fake research is getting out of control ! I mean, imagine reading up on cancer treatments online only to find out they're total nonsense . It's so not cool when people exploit others' trust like this. I think universities and research institutions need to step up their game and invest in quality control measures ASAP . And what's with all the fake book deals? Can't these scammers just focus on doing actual good science for once?!