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Ask Collected Fraud Prevention

Ask Collected is a digital platform designed to enhance the transparency and credibility of academic research by providing researchers with a verifiable data receipt. This receipt, in the form of a unique URL, records every detail regarding the data collection process, including the source of the data, contract details if the data is proprietary, and the steps involved in cleaning and analyzing the data. By hosting this detailed record on a secure platform, journals, deans, and granting agencies can ensure that researchers are held accountable for the quality and integrity of their inputs. This approach addresses the issue of academic fraud and p-hacking, as it leaves a permanent, inspectable trail that is difficult to manipulate retrospectively. Implementation involves building a user-friendly web platform with secure data storage and verification protocols. Researchers would input or upload details about the origin and processing of their data, which the system then compiles into a unique, shareable URL. The platform could offer integration options with existing submission systems at journals and funding agencies to streamline the review process. The primary target audience includes academic institutions, journals, and researchers who are increasingly called upon to verify the authenticity of their findings. Using standard web development tools, cloud storage solutions, and secure authentication methods, a small team or solo founder with a technical or generalist background can feasibly develop and deploy this solution within a moderate timeframe.

From: 163. The Data Sleuth Taking on Shoddy Science