Perceptions concerning research integrity and the practice of data audit in the biotechnology industry

A survey was conducted in order to evaluate the responses of biotechnology executives concerning their perceptions of the frequency of questionable R & D studies performed in their companies and to assess the extent to which their companies voluntarily conducted data audits. Data audit was found to be commonly practiced on a voluntary basis by biotechnology companies, in contrast to its almost lack of practice by universities. However, public companies were more likely to practice data auditing than privately held companies. Moreover, the likelihood that managers suspected or detected questionable studies in their companies was significantly increased if the company practiced data auditing.