Journal calls 2012 paper “deeply offensive to particular minorities”

What is this about?

In this factual case, a paper claiming that there might be a link between pigmentation and aggression/sexual violence was retracted following a petition against its publication.

Why is this important?

This is yet one more of several cases of a study that has been retracted following concerns that its conclusions might cause damage to certain minority groups. Questions on whether certain conclusion from research on animals can be transferable (without strong evidence) to human are also raised. Finally, whilst in supporting an argument researchers need to carefully choose the literature as appropriate, 'citing selectively to enhance own findings' (ECCRI, 2017: 6)^[1] is considered as unacceptable practice.