58 Iranian Researchers' Papers Removed from Scientific Journals 'Due to Fraud'

Fifty-eight papers authored by 282 researchers residing in Iran have been removed by one of the most reputable scientific publishers from scientific collections. According to Nature magazine, this publisher, Springer Nature, has stated that it appears the 'peer review' process for these papers was not conducted properly. Peer review, which is one of the most critical stages of a scientific paper, refers to the comprehensive review of scientific articles by experts in the same field. In fact, the validity of the discussions presented in a scientific paper must be examined by a group of specialists in that field before publication. The Biomed journal reported the removal of 28 papers by researchers residing in Iran and stated that 40 other papers are under review. Springer has stated that it has removed 30 papers and is studying the validity of 9 other papers. Springer Nature is the publisher of one of the most prestigious scientific journals in the world, namely Nature. In a statement released by Springer, it was noted that the investigation began when a whistleblower alerted them regarding papers authored by researchers residing in Iran. The statement mentioned that they found 'evidence of fraud and plagiarism, manipulation during the peer review stage, and the authenticity of the author of the paper, attempts to manipulate peer review and the publication system, and consequently obtaining ownership of the scientific paper.' According to Nature, in all the papers that Springer has removed from the count of scientific articles, there is evidence of manipulation in identifying the main author of the paper and manipulation in peer review. In seventy percent of these papers, there is evidence of plagiarism. According to Ms. Amy Brook White, spokesperson for Biomed, in 57 percent of the papers identified by this journal, there is evidence of manipulation in peer review, and in 93 percent of them, there are signs of plagiarism. Springer stated that the decision to remove these papers was solely for the purpose of correcting the scientific record, and they have no evidence to determine which of the authors committed the violations.