Bibliometric Analysis of Dubious Research

Abstract

Retracted papers are scientific or scholarly works officially withdrawn by the publisher or journal after their initial publication. The primary goal of retractions is to rectify the literature and alert readers about articles containing substantially flawed or erroneous content or data, or due to ethical concerns, rendering reported findings and conclusions unreliable. Retraction notices are typically issued for various reasons, including scientific misconduct, genuine mistakes, or problems with peer review. This chapter provides a systematic analysis of the dubious research identified in the Web of Science Core Collection. Bibliometric analysis was conducted on dubious research to assess the magnitude and influence of the questionable work on the pool of knowledge. The contingency matrix between countries and Web of Science categories of retracted papers reveals correlations between certain domains and the countries. To counter this growing tendency, a multi-pronged approach is essential. Robust policies, vigilant watchdogs, and targeted interventions by institutions are necessary to uphold the integrity of scholarly literature. Academia cannot afford to remain silent in the face of this threat to its credibility.