Investigating questionable research practices among Iranian applied linguists: Prevalence, severity, and the role of artificial intelligence tools

Abstract

The concept of Questionable Research Practices (QRPs) has recently gained recognition in the field of applied linguistics. This field, which previously differentiated between macro- and micro-ethics, is now grappling with QRPs that originate from the core of microethics. Despite the importance of studying QRPs, the applied linguistics community has not paid due attention to them. The present mixed-methods study investigates the frequency and severity of QRPs among Iranian applied linguists. Additionally, it explores QRPs related to artificial intelligence (AI) tools, a topic not previously examined, using researcher-constructed scenarios. A total of 160 Iranian applied linguists participated in the study, completing a 48-item questionnaire adapted from Larsson et al. (2023). Fifteen participants also took part in follow-up scenario-based interviews with regard to AI-related QRPs. The most common QRPs identified were the selection of variables for convenience and P-hacking, while the most severe ones were plagiarism-like behaviours and authorship issues. Lack of AI-related regulations, excessive use of AI as a threat, AI disclosure dilemma, and Al deficiencies and human oversight were the themes representing AI-related QRPs. The study concludes that QRPs among Iranian applied linguists mainly stem from inadequate ethics training, limited statistical knowledge, and a lack of AI guidelines.