Quarter of public researchers urged to change results

Danish scientists in government services feel pressured to amend studies or drop negative results

Nearly a quarter of Danish researchers working for the government say they have been pressured to change results, postpone publications or not publish at all, a landmark study has revealed.

The survey included 5,000 members of Dansk Magisterforening, the Danish Association of Masters and PhD students who participated in government services, including preparing analyses and reports for ministries and public agencies. Around 15 per cent of respondents said they had been pressured to change their research results, while another 10 per cent reported that they had been told to postpone publication to a time more convenient for government bodies.