World Bank taking steps to boost research integrity after data rigging scandal

The World Bank is taking steps to rebuild the credibility of its research after a data-rigging scandal forced it to cancel its flagship “Doing Business” report on country business climates, bank President David Malpass said on Monday.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund annual meetings this week, Malpass said strong research products remain a high priority for the bank and it would work on new ways to help countries improve their business climates.

Asked how the bank would rebuild its credibility after the scandal, Malpass the bank had taken “several steps” to improve research integrity, including elevating chief economist Carmen Reinhart to a role in senior management.