Updating Classical theory: Merton on modern developments

Abstract

Science is a quest for knowledge guided and characterized by reliable procedures and skepticism. Scientific misconduct occurs when individuals knowingly present false information which they erroneously claim has been obtained as a result of following accepted scientific procedures. This paper aims to provide a theoretical framework of scientific misconduct on the basis of several recent articles that describe the current situation in society as well as in science, along with Merton's classical theory.