Research Characteristics and Ethics

Characteristics of Research

• Accuracy: Research data must be correct. Footnotes, notes, and bibliographies should be accurately documented.

• Objectiveness: Research must focus on facts, not opinions, assumptions, generalizations, predictions, or conclusions.

• Timeliness: Research topics should be current, fresh, and relevant to contemporary society.

• Relevance: Research should improve society or address community problems.

• Clarity: Research findings should be expressed clearly using simple, precise, concise, and accurate language.

• Systematic: Research should follow an organized and methodical approach.

Ethics of Research

Honesty

• Maintain honesty in all scientific communication.
• Accurately report data, results, methods, procedures, and publication status.
• Refrain from fabricating, falsifying, or misrepresenting data.
• Avoid deceiving colleagues, funding agencies, or the public.

Objectivity

• Avoid bias in experimental design, data analysis, data interpretation, peer review, personnel decisions, grant writing, expert testimony, and other areas where objectivity is important.
• Minimize self-deception and disclose personal or financial interests that might influence research.

Integrity

• Keep promises and agreements.
• Act with sincerity and strive for consistency in thought and action.

Carefulness

• Avoid careless errors and negligence.
• Critically examine one's own work and the work of others.
• Maintain accurate records of research activities (data collection, research design, and correspondence).

Openness

• Share data, results, ideas, tools, and resources.
• Be open to criticism and new ideas.

Respect for Intellectual Property

• Honor intellectual property rights (patents, copyrights).
• Do not use unpublished data, methods, or results without permission.
• Acknowledge contributions to research properly.
• Avoid plagiarism.

Confidentiality

• Protect confidential communications (papers, grants, personnel records, trade secrets, patient records).

Social Responsibility

• Promote social good and address social harms.
• Utilize research, public education, and advocacy to achieve these goals.

Non-Discrimination

• Avoid discrimination based on factors irrelevant to scientific competence and integrity (sex, race, ethnicity, etc.).

Legality

• Adhere to relevant laws and institutional/governmental policies.

Human Subjects Protection

• Minimize harm and maximize benefits in research involving human subjects.

• Respect human dignity, privacy, and autonomy.

• Take precautions with vulnerable populations.

• Distribute the benefits and burdens of research fairly (e.g., voluntary participation, informed consent, anonymity).

• Ethical considerations must be addressed even when research conflicts with participants rights.

• Researchers need to consider all ethical issues when planning research.

Explore essential characteristics and ethics of research in this quiz. Test your understanding of accuracy, objectivity, timeliness, relevance, clarity, and systematic approaches. Additionally, learn about the importance of honesty and objectivity in scientific communication.