"They had it coming" - Extent and contextual determinants of scientific misconduct in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland

The current study thus makes three major contributions to existing literature. First, we can provide an up-to-date understanding of how prevalent scientific misconduct is in the academic systems of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Second, this study is the first to look at the relationship between neutralisation and scientific misconduct among researchers. This approach does therefore advance the criminological literature on neutralisation, as we apply this in a new context. Third, through the implementation of the techniques we provide an enhanced understanding of scientific misconduct – what the context is in which it takes place. In doing so, we offer individuals and institutions the opportunity to target risky discourses to prevent the emergence of an academic culture that triggers scientific misconduct. Ideally, we would like to provide the tools to neutralise the neutralisation of misbehaviour and in doing so help find ways to prevent misconduct.