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- Image manipulation is a prevalent issue in academic publishing and a potential sign of research misconduct.<\/li>\n
- Many journals are now using AI tools to identify problematic images prior to publication; however, these will need to evolve as image manipulation becomes increasingly sophisticated.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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<\/p>\nImage manipulation in research articles is a growing concern<\/a>. In a recent article for Nature News<\/em><\/a>, Nicola Jones outlines how academic journals are embracing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to identify manipulated images pre-publication.<\/p>\n
How prevalent is image manipulation? <\/strong><\/p>\n
While often unintentional<\/a>, image manipulation is prevalent and a potential sign of research misconduct. As reported by Jones, a 2016 study<\/a> by science integrity consultant Dr Elisabeth Bik<\/a> and colleagues found that nearly 4% of published biomedical science papers contained problematic figures. Similarly, around 4% of the 51,000 documented retractions in the Retraction Watch<\/a> database flag a concern relating to published images. A more recent study<\/a> by Dr Sholto David, which used AI to help identify suspect images, puts this figure at up to 16%.<\/p>\n
What action is being taken by journals?<\/strong><\/p>\n
Jones highlights that a number of journals are taking steps to identify problematic images prior to publication. Some, including Journal of<\/em> Cell Science<\/em>, PLOS Biology<\/em>, and PLOS One<\/em>, either ask for or require the submission of raw images used in figures. In addition, many journals now use AI tools such as ImageTwin<\/a>, ImaChek<\/a>, and Proofig<\/a> to screen images for signs of manipulation prior to publication. In January 2024, the Science family of journals revealed it will be using Proofig<\/a> across all submissions, while other publishers are developing their own AI image integrity software.<\/p>\n
Will AI put an end to this issue?<\/strong><\/p>\n
Jones reports that while AI tools make it faster and easier<\/a> to detect problematic images, experts warn that they have limited capabilities to detect more complex manipulations, such as those made using AI<\/a>. Bernd Pulverer, chief editor of\u00a0EMBO Reports<\/em><\/a>, <\/em>cautions<\/a> that as image manipulation becomes increasingly sophisticated it will become ever harder to detect, with existing screening tools soon becoming largely obsolete.<\/p>\n
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While AI tools make it faster and easier to detect problematic images, experts warn that they have limited capabilities to detect more complex manipulations such as those made using AI. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
To stamp out image manipulation in the long run, we need to change how science is done, Dr Bik proposes<\/a>. She calls for a greater focus on rigour and reproducibility and a crackdown on bullying and high pressure environments in research labs, which she believes create a culture where cheating is acceptable. We look forward to seeing how the development of increasingly advanced AI tools will help in the continuing fight against research misconduct.<\/p>\n
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