Guidelines for training in the ethical conduct of scientific research

Author(s): Garte, Seymour J.
Document type: Article
Year: 1995
Pages: 12
Source: Journal: Science and Engineerings Ethics, p. 59-70
Language(s): English

Classification

National background: United States
Category: Non-EU Training Material for Research Ethics
Subject areas: Ethical research (fraud and misconduct); Information (data protection, privacy etc.); Other: Authorship and publishing issues
Content: Case studies
Issues touched: Fabrication, falsification, plagiarism
Audience: Students of natural sciences
Classification remarks: The paper is "intended to serve for the beginning scientist to some fundamental principles of scientific research ethics." The following issues are touched: data collection, recording and storage; data proprietorship; confidentiality; communication, authorship; collaboration; peer review and complaints of unethical conduct. Case histories serve to illustrate problems and solutions.

Estimation

Theoretical quality remarks: Ethical problems of scientific misconduct (in a broad sense) a examined in a concise way. The fundamental role of truth in science and the scientific method is briefly mentioned without going into details.
Didactical quality: Didactically prepared material
Didactical quality remarks: A number of different issues are touched. Case histories serve to illustrate problems and possible solutions.
Overall estimation: recommendable
Estimation remarks: A short, easy-to-read introduction into the field of ethical conduct of scientific research. Important questions are discussed such as data collection and proprietorship, confidentiality, communication, authorship and collaboration as well as how to deal with complaints of unethical conduct. The case histories are slightly simplistic. The same holds for the suggested solutions. Nevertheless, the paper can serve as material in a course on research ethics.