Timing of news raises questions on transparency

Investigation of academic-misconduct allegations against a high-level researcher takes time, and we appreciate that Ohio State University apparently does a thorough job of it.

Still, the university, which seems ever unwilling to allow any information out without its close control, did what it could to evade maximum transparency in the matter of Ching-Shih Chen, formerly a top cancer-treatment researcher in the College of Pharmacy. A university investigation has concluded that Chen intentionally falsified data or was reckless in review of data on more than 12 occasions in his 16-year career at Ohio State.

Chen resigned in September because of the allegations, and Ohio State had its investigation largely wrapped up in December, yet its first public announcement of the matter came months later, on Friday afternoon. As in, the waning hours of a pre-holiday day on which many people aren’t paying attention to the news.

Not to mention a time when news-reporting staffs are thinner, also because of the impending holiday.

We don’t suggest that Ohio State invented the Friday afternoon news dump; it’s a time-honored tactic of people and institutions about to make news for reasons they’d rather not: Release it late on a Friday, preferably before a holiday, and hope fewer people notice or have time to deal with it.

But as in many such instances with OSU, it’s unclear why the university is so loath to share the facts.

It appears to have investigated Chen’s work properly after receiving allegations. It has disclosed the allegation to the federal Office of Research Integrity, which still is investigating. When researchers determined that some of Chen’s work involved patient trials of potential new drugs, those trials were halted immediately until it was clear that patients weren’t in danger.

It is working to have articles based on the flawed work retracted from scholarly journals, and a research-watchdog database indicates that OSU research doesn’t generate an unusual number of retractions.

Ohio State officials say the release about Chen actually came quicker than it might have. Typically the university might wait until the federal investigation is finished, they said, but because the case against Chen was uncontested, OSU sought approval from the feds and went ahead with the announcement.

As quietly as it could.

Here’s an important thing that can’t wait long: If you aren’t a registered voter, you still can become one in time for the May 8 primary election, but only if you take action by Monday.

That’s the deadline for registering or for changing your address or name on an existing registration.

It’s easier than ever, since online registration went into effect at the beginning of 2017. New registrations and changes can be made at myohiovote. com. Those who prefer the time-tested methods can hand-deliver or mail a form to the Franklin County Board of Elections office at 1700 Morse Road.

To be eligible, you must be a U.S. citizen, 18 years old and have lived in Ohio for at least 30 days before the election.

Say you’re already registered and you’re wondering about the voting machines the county is considering buying: You can still check them out virtually, via video demonstrations of the two finalist companies, Electronic Systems & Software of Omaha and the Austin, Texas-based Hart InterCivic.

Find the videos at vote. franklincountyohio.gov/ voters.