The Iron Ring

As a brief follow-up to my very first post, I wanted to mention an article published recently in the Journal of Empirical Research on Human Research Ethics (http://www.csueastbay.edu/JERHRE/index.html).

The article summarizes the results of a study that used six focus groups from major Universities. A total of 51 researchers were asked a series of questions regarding ethics in everyday research; categories included the meaning of data, the rules of science, life with colleagues, and the pressures of production.

The bit of data I find most fascinating is the questions which scientists not only answered whether they acknowledge that behavior in themselves, but also whether they saw evidence of the behavior in their colleagues. When asked about misconduct in ‘using one’s position to exploit others’ only 1.6% responded that they saw that behavior in themselves, but 46.3% agreed with the statement, “I have observed or had other direct evidence of this behavior among my professional colleagues including postdoctoral associates, within the last three years.”

In addition, when asked about “using another’s ideas without obtaining permission or giving due credit” only 1.4% recognized that behavior in themselves and 45.7% recognized it in their associates.

Do these results indicate mistrust amongst scientists?

In the category of “using another’s ideas without obtaining permission” I think the statement is vague; there is a difference between asking a colleague for scientific advice, and siphoning ideas off a successful lab next door. I would be interested in seeing the response to the question, “do you believe your ideas have been used without giving you credit”?

# posted by Sarah : 11:27 PM