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Drivers of research misconduct: exploring evidence of neocolonial influences in Nepal

Aliya Kuzhabekova & Bibek Dahal

Research Evaluation2026https://doi.org/10.1093/reseval/rvag010article
AJG 2ABDC C
Weight
0.50

What the paper says

Abstract Research misconduct has potential to irreparably damage science and society, influencing the global research ecosystem. There might be various driving forces behind an individual’s involvement in research misconduct. Using basic qualitative inquiry, including in-depth online interviews with university faculties (n = 8) and think tanks (n = 2), we explored the drivers of research misconduct in Nepal. The study was guided by a combination of two theoretical frameworks: the conceptual model that categorizes the factors of research misconduct and the decolonial framework of research. Using these two frameworks, our thematic analysis showed that while various drivers of research misconduct associated with individual, situational, organizational, structural, and cultural factors, neocolonial influences amplified ethical complexity marginalizing local knowledge system, Indigenous approaches, and definitions of scholarly misconduct. Based on these findings, interested parties in Nepal could consider a variety of approaches to address research misconduct ranging from reflexive ethics education, institutional investment in review and accountability, decolonial partnerships, and cultural transformation to empower questioning and to provide localized systems of research ethics values and principles, as well as structural reforms to align incentives with integrity policies.

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https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1093/reseval/rvag010

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@article{aliya2026,
  title        = {{Drivers of research misconduct: exploring evidence of neocolonial influences in Nepal}},
  author       = {Aliya Kuzhabekova & Bibek Dahal},
  journal      = {Research Evaluation},
  year         = {2026},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1093/reseval/rvag010},
}

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Drivers of research misconduct: exploring evidence of neocolonial influences in Nepal

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Evidence weight

0.50

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20
M · momentum0.50 × 0.15 = 0.07
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

† Text relevance is estimated at 0.50 on the detail page — for your query’s actual relevance score, open this paper from a search result.