Falsifying data or records is when you intentionally manipulate or alter or fabricate any research data or results or any other documents to create a false or misleading representation of findings.
Falsifying of data or records can also include the changing of data points, inventing of entirely fictitious data or omitting of unfavorable results.
The falsifying of data or records is a serious form of research misconduct and undermines the integrity of research can lead to potential harmful consequences.
Falsification of data or records is not accidental and involves the deliberate attempt to mislead or deceive.
Manipulation of data can also involve the altering of existing data, selectively removing data points which is also known as data trimming or even inventing entirely new data points.
Falsified data can lead to inaccurate conclusions, potentially harmful applications of the findings and flawed research.
Falsification of data or records is also a breach of scientific ethics, which erodes trust in the scientific community and can potentially cause harm to the public.
Examples of data falsification include changing of the numerical values of experimental results so they can better fit a desired outcome.
Removing data points which contradict a hypothesis or expected result.
Creating of entirely new data points or results which were not actually obtained during the process of research.
And altering of images like micrographs or gel electrophoresis results to misrepresent the data.