Framework for assessing the risk to a field from fraudulent researchers: A case study of Alzheimer's disease
该研究构建了一个分析框架，通过引文网络评估可疑作者对领域的影响，以阿尔茨海默病研究为例，发现单个作者或论文难以威胁大部分文献，但高影响力作者需加强诚信监督。
Abstract Concerns over research integrity are rising, with increasing attention to potential threats from untrustworthy authors. We established a framework to gauge the potential negative influence of researchers potentially engaged in misconduct. The field of Alzheimer's disease (AD) research has been a focal point of these worries. This study aims to assess the risk posed by questionable studies or individuals potentially engaging in fraudulent science in research by examining citation relationships among papers, taking AD research as an illustrative example. Analysis of citation network structure can elucidate the potential propagation of misinformation arising at the author level. Our analysis revealed that there aren't any single authors or papers whose citation connections jeopardize a major portion of the field's literature. This indicates a low probability of single entities undermining the majority of works in this area. However, our findings suggest that attention to the research integrity of the most influential scientists is warranted. Some scientists can reach a sizable minority of the literature through citations to their work. Emphasizing oversight of the integrity of these authors is crucial, given their influence on the field. Our study introduces an analytical framework adaptable across various fields and disciplines to evaluate potential risks from fraudulence.