Harvard says psychology professor “solely responsible” for scientific misconduct

Harvard: Professor responsible for misconduct

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Harvard University says a faculty committee investigating the work of a psychology professor has found him “solely responsible” for eight instances of scientific misconduct.

Faculty of Arts and Sciences Dean Michael Smith says in a letter sent to faculty Friday that the inquiry found three studies conducted by Marc Hauser needed to be corrected or retracted.

Five other studies were not published or had problems that were corrected before they were published.

Smith says the experiments had problems involving data acquisition, data analysis, data retention as well as the reporting of research methodologies and results.

Smith says “such misconduct strikes at the core of our academic values.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal agencies that funded Hauser’s research are also investigating.

Hauser is on leave until next year. His home number has been disconnected.