16 September 2010
There are errors in the analysis in the STAN study, but they are not of such a character as to be considered misconduct in research. This was determined in a decision today by the Vice-Chancellor of Lund University.
In June 2007, a report of suspected misconduct in research was made to Göran Bexell, Vice-Chancellor of Lund University at the time. The report concerned suspected misconduct in research in a study relating to technology for foetus monitoring called STAN (”ST analysis of foetal ECG”). Following an initial investigation, made by an independent examiner, the Vice-Chancellor decided to submit a request to the Swedish Research Council to carry out a further investigation into suspected misconduct in the research study. The Swedish Research Council's committee of experts for investigation of suspected misconduct in research submitted its statement on the matter to Lund University on 12 July this year.
After internal handling within Lund University, in which Karel Maršál, the researcher responsible for the study, was given the opportunity to comment on the statement from the Swedish Research Council's committee of experts, the Vice-Chancellor has now reached a decision on the matter.
In his decision, the Vice-Chancellor finds that there have been errors in the analysis in the STAN study. However, the errors are not of such a character that misconduct in research can be thought to exist. As pointed out by the Swedish Research Council's committee of experts, the patient cases in the study commented upon were difficult to assess and can be classified in different ways.
In his decision, the Vice-Chancellor states that it is important that all patient cases commented upon by the reporter, and the first examiner are re-analysed by the research group, in order to ensure the quality of the study results. The new analysis should then be reported openly, and the results sent as a correction to the scientific journal The Lancet, in which the study was published in 2001.
The Vice-Chancellor finally states that it is unfortunate that the handling of the matter has taken more than three years, as the report has had great consequences for private individuals. Any future cases must be dealt with in a considerably shorter time.
Detailed background information about the matter can be found on: http://www.med.lu.se/nyheter/utredning_av_forskningsoredlighet (in Swedish)
Documents in the matter are available from the Registrar of Lund University: registrator@lu.se
Questions relating to this matter are answered by:
Per Eriksson, Vice-Chancellor, tel +46-708-247106, rektor@rektor.lu.se
Ingalill Rahm Hallberg, Assistant Vice-Chancellor, tel +46-702-14 03 55, Ingalill.rahm_Hallberg@rektor.lu.se
Bo Ahrén, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, tel +46-46-222 80 84, Bo.Ahren@med.lu.se
Questions relating to how suspected misconduct in research is handled by Lund University are answered by:
Susanne Kristensson Chief Legal Officer, tel +46-702-53 47 47, Susanne.Kristensson@rektor.lu.se
Questions about the STAN technique and how it is used on maternity clinics are answered by:
Göran Lingman, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lund, tel +46-46-17 25 60, 0707-87 43 58, Goran.Lingman@med.lu.se
Page Manager: Johanna Sandahl
Last modified: 2010-09-22
