Can tweets predict article retractions?

Abstract

This study explores the potential of using tweets to predict article retractions, by analyzing the Twitter mention data of retracted articles as the treatment group and unretracted articles that were matched as a control group. The results show that tweets could predict article retractions with an accuracy of 57%-60% by machine learning models. Sentiment analysis is not effective in predicting article retractions. The study sheds light on a novel method of detecting scientific misconduct in the early stage.

Authors 3

1. Er‐Te Zheng

   Renmin University of China

   Affiliation as printed

   Renmin University of China

2. Hui‐Zhen Fu

   Zhejiang University

   Affiliation as printed

   Zhejiang University

3. Zhichao Fang Aachen

   Leiden University · Renmin University of China

   Affiliation as printed

   Leiden University

   Renmin University of China