Scientific misconduct refers to unethical behavior in research that can undermine the integrity of scientific findings. This includes practices such as fabrication, where researchers make up data, and falsification, where they manipulate research processes or results. Another form is plagiarism, which involves using someone else's work or ideas without proper attribution. Such misconduct can have serious consequences, including damage to a researcher's reputation and the potential for misleading the scientific community and the public. Institutions often have policies in place to investigate allegations of misconduct and promote ethical standards in research practices.