Instances of Scientific Misconduct | Stephen Breuning
Stephen Breuning
Stephen Breunin received his PhD in Psychology from the Illinois Institute of Technology and pursued research on drug treatment for patients with intellectual disabilities. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) sponsored over $200,000 in research grants. In 1983, University of Illinois professor Robert L. Sprague first raised concerns about Breunin’s data, prompting an NIMH investigation. Breuning later admitted to fabricating results and became the first U.S. scientist to face criminal penalties for research fraud. His falsified studies influenced real-world outcomes, including higher prescription rates of stimulant medications and changes in healthcare policy for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Although convicted decades ago, one of his fraudulent papers was not retracted until 2025, over thirty-five years later.
From the Archives of Scientific Fraud – Stephen Breuning (forbiddenpsychology, May 17, 2014)
IQ study retracted in fallout from decades-old misconduct report (Retraction Watch, May 28, 2025)
More than three decades after misconduct ruling, researcher’s IQ test paper is retracted (Retraction Watch, January 20, 2025)
NIMH Finds a Case of "Serious Misconduct" (Science, March 27, 1987)
Overly Ambitious Researchers - Fabricating Data (Online Ethics Center, 2000)
SCIENTIFIC FRAUD: Tighter rules on research on the way (Chemical and Engineering News, September 26, 1988)
Scientific Misconduct in 'Academia: A Survey and Analysis of Applicable Law (University of San Diego, 1991)
Stephen Breuning Pleads Guilty to Medical Research Fraud (EBSCO, 2022)
Unfinished business: Breuning fraud case left articles unretracted (Russell T. Warne, January 25, 20022)
Whistleblowing: a very unpleasant avocation (tandfonline, January 8, 2010)