Research Methods Lecture 4 PDF

Lecture 4 Standards Of Ethical Conduct In Science BY Akyene Tetteh (PhD) Dpt. Of Management Studies Contact I...

Lecture 4 Standards Of Ethical Conduct In Science BY Akyene Tetteh (PhD) Dpt. Of Management Studies Contact Information: [email protected] UNIVERSITY OF MINES AND TECHNOLOGY Course Code: GM/GL/MN 451  Ethical Principles 1. Honesty Scientists should not fabricate, falsify, or misrepresent data or results. They should be objective, unbiased, and truthful in all aspects of the research process. ✓ Without honesty it will be impossible to achieve science’s goals. ✓ Honesty also promotes the cooperation and trust necessary for scientific research. Research Methods - Akyene Tetteh 7/7/2024 Slide 2  Ethical Principles Cont’d. 2. Carefulness Scientists should avoid errors in research, especially in presenting results. They should minimize experimental, methodological, and human errors and avoid self- deception, bias, and conflicts of interest. Carefulness, promotes the goals of science in that errors can hinder the advancement of knowledge as much as outright lies. Carefulness also is important in promoting cooperation and trust among scientists and the efficient use of scientific resources (Whitbeck 1995). Research Methods - Akyene Tetteh 7/7/2024 Slide 3  Ethical Principles Cont’d. 3. Openness Scientists should share data, results, methods, ideas, techniques, and tools. They should allow other scientists to review their work and be open to criticism and new ideas. ❖ The principle of openness promotes the advancement of knowledge (Munthe and Welin 1996). ❖ Openness prevents scientists from becoming dogmatic, uncritical, and biased. ❖ Openness also contributes to the advancement of science by helping to build an atmosphere of cooperation and trust in science and by enabling scientists to use resources effectively (Bird and Houseman 1995). Research Methods - Akyene Tetteh 7/7/2024 Slide 4  Ethical Principles Cont’d. 4. Social Responsibility Scientists should avoid causing harms to society and they should attempt to produce social benefits. Scientists should be responsible for the consequences of their research and they should inform the public about those consequences. ▪ The general idea behind this principle is that scientists have a responsibility to society (Lakoff 1980, Shrader- Frechette 1994). ▪ Social responsibility implies that scientists have an obligation to conduct socially valuable research, to participate in public debates, to give expert testimony (if asked), to help make science policy, and to debunk junk science. Research Methods - Akyene Tetteh 7/7/2024 Slide 5  Ethical Principles Cont’d. 5. Legality In the process of research, scientists should obey the laws pertaining to their work. Helps in improving research funds. Scientists may suffer great damage when scientists disobey the law: scientists may be arrested, equipment may be confiscated, funding may be denied, the public support for science may erode, and so forth. Laws pertain to many different aspects of research, including the use of hazardous and controlled substances, the use of human and animal subjects, the disposal of wastes, hiring practices, the appropriation of funds, and copyrights and patents (PSRCR 1992). Research Methods - Akyene Tetteh 7/7/2024 Slide 6  Ethical Principles Cont’d. 6. Mutual Respect Scientists should treat colleagues with respect. Although this principle can be justified on moral grounds, it can also be justified in that it is important for achieving scientific objectives: the scientific community is built on cooperation and trust, which will break down when scientists do not respect one another (Whitbeck 1995b). Without mutual respect, the social fabric of science unravels, and the pursuit of scientific aims slows down. The principle implies that scientists should not harm one another, either physically or psychologically, that they should respect personal privacy, that they should not tamper with each other’s experiments or results, and so forth. Research Methods - Akyene Tetteh 7/7/2024 Slide 7  Ethical Principles Cont’d. 7. Efficiency 8. Respect for Intellectual Property 9. Objectivity 10.Integrity 11.Responsible publication 12.Non-discrimination 13.Competence 14.Animal Care Research Methods - Akyene Tetteh 7/7/2024 Slide 8  Fundamental Canons Engineers, in the fulfillment of their professional duties, shall: 1. Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public. 2. Perform services only in areas of their competence. 3. Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner. 4. Act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees. 5. Avoid deceptive acts. 6. Conduct themselves honorably, responsibly, ethically, and lawfully so as to enhance the honor, reputation, and usefulness of the profession. Research Methods - Akyene Tetteh 7/7/2024 Slide 9  Rules of Practice 1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public. 2. Engineers shall perform services only in the areas of their competence. 3. Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner. 4. Engineers shall act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees. 5. Engineers shall avoid deceptive acts. Research Methods - Akyene Tetteh 7/7/2024 Slide 10  Professional Obligations 1. Engineers shall be guided in all their relations by the highest standards of honesty and integrity. 2. Engineers shall at all times strive to serve the public interest. 3. Engineers shall avoid all conduct or practice that deceives the public. 4. Engineers shall not disclose, without consent, confidential information concerning the business affairs or technical processes of any present or former client or employer, or public body on which they serve. 5. Engineers shall not be influenced in their professional duties by conflicting interests. Research Methods - Akyene Tetteh 7/7/2024 Slide 11  Professional Obligations Cont. 6. Engineers shall not attempt to obtain employment or advancement or professional engagements by untruthfully criticizing other engineers, or by other improper or questionable methods. 7. Engineers shall not attempt to injure, maliciously or falsely, directly or indirectly, the professional reputation, prospects, practice, or employment of other engineers. Engineers who believe others are guilty of unethical or illegal practice shall present such information to the proper authority for action. 8. Engineers shall accept personal responsibility for their professional activities, provided, however, that engineers may seek indemnification for services arising out of their practice for other than gross negligence, where the engineer's interests cannot otherwise be protected. 9. Engineers shall give credit for engineering work to those to whom credit is due, and will recognize the proprietary interests of others. Research Methods - Akyene Tetteh 7/7/2024 Slide 12