UNIVERSITY of Queensland scientists have been accused of fabricating research that was published in a prestigious European scientific journal.

UQ referred the claims to the Crime and Misconduct Commission in July and asked for the study to be retracted pending the outcome.

A university investigation has found "no primary data".

"We simply cannot locate the data," UQ vice-chancellor Professor Peter Hoj told The Courier-Mail.

UQ was first made aware of the allegation in September 2012 when a whistleblower raised concerns, Prof Hoj said.

After a preliminary investigation, UQ established an inquiry panel in July this year and on August 9 the retraction of the paper was requested.

Professor Bruce Murdoch, the paper's lead researcher, did not return calls.

He founded the Centre for Neurogenic Communication Disorders Research at UQ.

In the period between the whistleblower coming forward and senior management learning of the allegations, it is understood Prof Murdoch resigned from his position.

"I think the major responsibility always rests with the corresponding senior author and that person is no longer here,'' Prof Hoj said. "It was a resignation that was initiated, as far as I know, entirely by the senior author concerned."

The researchers received a $20,000 grant from a "non-government organisation" to conduct the work, which UQ had decided to return pending the outcome of the investigation.

Prof Hoj said he accepted there could be a "short-term hit" to the reputation of the university but UQ had a "moral obligation to inform the wider community as fast as possible".

"If this is true it is an extraordinary situation. I've never come across it in my life as a university president for six years, (or) as a researcher. I'm just really disappointed."

A CMC spokeswoman said the CMC had received a ­complaint of alleged official misconduct.

"The CMC assessed the complaint and determined that it was appropriate to refer it to the university to deal with, subject to the CMC's monitoring role," she said.

UQ is continuing its ­inquiry.

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