A graduate student accused of falsifying data said he stands behind his research in an email statement Friday.
In a study published in December, Michael LaCour and his co-author, Columbia professor Donald Green, reported results that suggested voters’ support for same-sex marriage increases following a 20-minute conversation with a gay advocate for same-sex marriage.
After replicating the research in the hopes of expanding the results, three researchers from Stanford University, Yale University and UC Berkeley found eight irregularities in LaCour and Green’s study. The researchers cited their findings in a report released Tuesday.
In the report, Green said LaCour admitted to falsifying some details of the data collection process. Researchers reported the irregularities to Green, who requested Tuesday that Science magazine retract its study. Science has not retracted the study but has since published an editorial expression of concern.
“Despite what many have printed, Science has not published a retraction of my article,” LaCour said in an email statement. “I’ve requested that if Science (Editor-in-Chief Marcia) McNutt publishes Professor’s Green’s retraction request, she publish my statement with it.”
LaCour said he is gathering evidence and relevant information that he will release in response to the allegations by May 29.
Compiled by Alejandra Reyes-Velarde, Bruin reporter.