Trust but Verify: Misrepresentation of Publication Records Among Child Neurology Residency Applicants

Abstract

IntroductionNumerous authors have reported that misrepresentation of publication records among residency applicants is not uncommon. We sought to determine the percentage of child neurology residency applicants who falsify information about publications in the documents submitted to the Electronic Residency Application Service. MethodsThe records of applicants to our residency program between 2014 and 2020 (898 individuals) were analyzed. Publications were verified by searching online databases and with a research librarian's assistance. Searches were conducted using all available information—author name, article title, and journal name—alone or in combination. Articles in inaccessible publications were disregarded. Misrepresentation was recorded when one the following was identified: listing a nonexistent article, promoting the applicant's name on the authors' list, misattributing authorship, and listing a publication as “in-press” yet never published. ResultsFrom the 7 residency match cycles reviewed, 514 applicants reported having had authored at least 1 publication. Of those, 47 (9.14%) listed 75 unquestionably misrepresented publications. In 33 instances, the paper did not exist, with some applicants going as far as submitting a nonexistent PubMed Identifier; in 21 instances, the author's name was promoted on the authors' list; in 15 instances, the applicant was not an author; and in 6 instances, the author reported the publication as “in-press,” but the work has never been published. ConclusionAs happens in other specialties, child neurology residency applicants sometimes submit fraudulent information about their publications. Program directors need to be aware of this possibility and carefully review the information provided by applicants.