Implementing integrity: Advancing scientific publishing through robust verification systems

This blog emphasizes the critical importance of data integrity in scientific research, highlighting the challenges researchers face in maintaining integrity standards, particularly regarding image manipulation. Discussing the reproducibility crisis in modern research and introduces Cytiva's Image Integrity Checker 2.0 as a solution. This softwear verifies the authenticity of Western blotting data generated with compatible Cytiva imaging systems, streamlining the verification process and ensuring researchers submit reliable data for publication

Elevating research standards: the critical role of data integrity

Integrity and reproducibility are central tenets of scientific research, ensuring that work can be verified, repeated, and reproduced and providing a solid foundation for further studies and future scientific discoveries (1). Yet, an alarmingly high number of research disintegrity cases have been reported over the past two decades, spanning scientific fraud, accidental lapses of integrity, questionable research practices, and challenges reproducing data (2). Among these, cases of image manipulation are particularly prevalent; a recent report examined 1364 research papers and found that 5.7% of papers contained at least one instance of suspected image manipulation, the majority of which were gel electrophoresis images (3). Image manipulation and other cases of research integrity lapses, intentional or not, are contributing to the reproducibility crisis facing modern research: a 2016 study found that over 70% of scientists were unable to reproduce others’ work, while over 50% could not replicate their own work (4). Here, we will delve into the importance of research integrity, explore the challenges researchers face, and discuss a potential solution to verify the integrity of western blotting data.

The challenge of data integrity for researchers

In scientific research, reaching and maintaining high quality and integrity standards is essential. This not only ensures that data is accurate and reliable, crucial for long-term work and subsequent projects, but is also a requirement for publication. Over recent years, due to the high rate of unreliable published data, many journals have introduced stricter requirements and guidelines with the aim of ensuring research transparency and integrity (5). For example, certain journals now require researchers to supply raw data with all manuscripts, which will become publicly available upon publication. However, it can still be extremely challenging to distinguish a raw image from a manipulated one.

Moreover, a high standard of research integrity is essential for retaining trust within the scientific community and the general public. While the vast majority of cases of lapses in research integrity are unintentional, even accidental cases can damage an individual scientist or research group’s reputation as well as that of the scientific community more broadly, damaging public trust. Consequently, it is essential that researchers are equipped with the necessary tools to ensure their research is of the highest possible quality and integrity.

However, achieving and maintaining research integrity can be challenging for researchers. Firstly, guidelines surrounding what constitutes unacceptable image manipulation are not always clear, leading to a high proportion of unintentional integrity lapses (3). Moreover, when a project spans several years and involves numerous individuals across different institutions, the complexity of ensuring that every dataset meets these stringent standards grows exponentially.

Additionally, the use of shared gel or blot imaging systems and folders, common in many research settings, introduces another layer of complexity. When multiple users access the same instruments and data storage spaces, it becomes increasingly difficult to track changes, ensure proper usage, and maintain the quality and organization of data. Nonetheless, an effective data organization system is essential in ensuring that raw data is preserved indefinitely so that unmanipulated images can be referred back to and submitted to journals when required. Moreover, data should be regularly audited to remove unnecessary files, freeing up servers and storage space and minimizing the risk of accidental deletion of raw data.

The solution: Our image integrity checker

These challenges highlight the need for robust systems that can withstand the dynamic and collaborative nature of scientific research. Addressing these issues is critical for preserving the integrity of the research process and ensuring that the scientific community can continue to build on reliable, high-quality data. Among cases of suspected image manipulation, Western blotting data is especially prevalent (3), highlighting the need for robust tools researchers can use to validate their Western blotting data prior to analysis and submission for publication.

We have developed a direct solution to this challenge. The Image Integrity Checker 2.0 is a free, standalone softwear that allows researchers to quickly and easily check if an image generated with Amersham™, ImageQuant™ 800, or Typhoon™ imaging systems is modified. By reading the Secure Hash Algorithm 256 (SHA-256) digital fingerprints of images generated with compatible our imaging systems, the image integrity checker software is able to verify raw data files.

The image integrity checker streamlines the verification process, offering a rapid assessment of image authenticity that can be performed prior to carrying out time-consuming analysis of western blots, ensuring that researchers do not waste time inadvertently analyzing a manipulated image. This software not only allows for the quick inspection of individual images to confirm they are raw data images, but it can also efficiently process entire folders. This capability is particularly beneficial when images are transferred between researchers, making it straightforward to ascertain their originality while freeing up valuable research and analysis time and storage space. Additionally, the image integrity checker generates reports that can be included in peer review submissions, potentially reducing the turnaround time for journal feedback. Overall, when used with our advanced imaging systems, the image integrity checker software provides researchers with peace of mind that their western blotting data is reliable while streamlining the publication process.

Conclusion

Ultimately, scientific integrity and reproducibility are paramount for advancing research and maintaining public trust. However, the prevalence of research disintegrity, particularly western blot data manipulation, represents a central component of the research reproducibility crisis. With a shocking proportion of scientists unable to reproduce others' work, immediate, robust measures must be taken to ensure data reliability and integrity. Our image integrity checker 2.0 provides a software to verify image authenticity quickly and accurately, enabling scientists to maintain high research standards.

To learn how verify the integrity of your images visit the image integrity checker web page