A TEXTBOOK on scientific ethics that begins with a primer on
inductive reasoning and ends with university guidelines for
research conduct sounds dull, but David Goodstein has created an
entertaining book studded with laugh-out-loud moments. After a
careful explanation of what fraud is, and what it is not, he
provides several case studies of both. The most interesting
concerns cold fusion, which he shows to have been bad science -
but not fraud, because there was no deceit. His second study is
of high-temperature superconductivity, which was also not
fraudulent, even though it violated established beliefs in
physics and cannot be completely explained. Goodstein provides
several examples of out-and-out deceit as well. The fascinating
aspect to their stories is the epilogues: some convicted
fraudsters disappear from science, but one has gone on to head a
prestigious institute. Goodstein's candour and humour make this
book a delight to read, and he's ... To continue reading this
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