Research misconduct refers to unethical behavior in the conduct of scientific research. It typically includes practices such as fabrication, where data is made up; falsification, which involves altering research results; and plagiarism, the act of using someone else's work without proper attribution. These actions undermine the integrity of research and can lead to false conclusions.
Such misconduct can have serious consequences, including damage to the reputation of researchers and institutions, loss of funding, and legal repercussions. It is essential for the scientific community to promote ethical standards and ensure accountability to maintain public trust in scientific research.