[Sarastro]

It's difficult to understand why scientific researchers commit fraud because they're almost certain to be unmasked eventually. Then they have no more career. None. Ever.

OTOH, fraud in humanities and social science research is the norm, expected, and rewarded. It even has nice academic names like deconstructionism, postmodernism, post-structuralism, hermeneutics, and multiculturalism.

[paudio]

hermeneutics

I think conservatives who do bible study use hermeneutics to understand the bible. At least my conservative fellowship does.

[Fatuncle]

Ain't it the truth? I mean, the basic premise of scientific research is that you deal with the invariable physics of the world, and the results of your research can be duplicated, in order to verify the correctness of your work. If you faked the results, there is just no way to hide the fact that your work can't be duplicated.

And there you are: fraud.

It just makes no sense.