The Retraction Watch Database (c/o The Center for Scientific Integrity)
Location Description
The Retraction Watch Database, acquired in 2023 by Crossref and operated by the nonprofit The Center For Scientific Integrity, is the world's leading database of retractions, with almost 58,000 entries at the time of this writing. The Center also operates the blog Retraction Watch (retractionwatch.com) which addresses issues in scholarly publishing, and which remains an editorially independent journalism organization.
Practicum Work Mode
Remote
Semesters or Time Period Available
Ongoing, not limited to a specific semester
Location
121 W 36th St. Suite 209
New York, New York 10018
http://retractiondatabase.org
Contact
Alison Abritis
Research Director
abritis@retractionwatch.com
(727) 432-6499
Student Tasks
The student will be assigned tasks to help ensure the quality control of data in the Retraction Watch Database (RWDB), whether it be normalization of names of authors/journals/publishers, batch cross-checks of particular fields, and/or checks for inconsistency in entries. The student will work with Excel spreadsheets as well as the RWDB. The student is also encouraged, based on their own experience and exposure, to offer options for the handling of data tasks peripheral to the management of the RWDB.
Type of Mentoring Provided to the Student
The student will work with Research Director Alison Abritis, who created and maintains the Retraction Watch Database. Alison, whose PhD thesis was about retractions, is arguably the world's leading expert on retraction data, taxonomy, and curation. In addition to assigning tasks and ensuring their quality, Alison will meet regularly with the student to review progress and discuss research integrity issues.
Student Interaction With Others at the Location
The student will have the opportunity to meet virtually with Retraction Watch co-founder Ivan Oransky and to work with researcher Gordon Sullivan, editor Kate Travis, and/or reporter Avery Orrall in accomplishing tasks. Depending upon the task, the student may also have the opportunity to make email contact with editors or publishers of journals as needed.