Professional Scientific Writing Lecture Notes PDF

Professional scientific writing–Bio 881T Lecture 10 Orientation Bioethics, Integrity, Research methodology and study design Scientific research Bioethics and integrity What is Ethics • The study of the ethical and moral implications of new biological discoveries and biomedical advances, spec...

Professional scientific writing–Bio 881T Lecture 10 Orientation Bioethics, Integrity, Research methodology and study design Scientific research Bioethics and integrity What is Ethics • The study of the ethical and moral implications of new biological discoveries and biomedical advances, specifically in the modern scientific and medical research and discoveries such as the field of genetic engineering and drug research. Importance of Bioethics Study  Medical policies and patients' rights legislations are ever- changing.  Scientific research and health care systems function differently than before.  Scientific and medical practices now involve decision making about many new issues. Scientific topics with ethical ramifications (examples)  Abortion  Trans-sexuality and homo-sexuality  Determination of Death .  Euthanasia.  Cloning.  Human and animal experimentation (e.g signed informed consent forms)  Birth control.  Stem cell technology.  Organs and germs donation Who determines the ethical framework that scientific research should be conducted within?  Ethical committees which should:  Nominated by the research or medical institution authorities.  Includes expertise in the field of the research area  Follow the international ethical standards in the screening, monitoring, and evaluation of the research purposes, applications, and achievements. Items that contribute to unethical research  Excessive risks compared to benefits,  Inappropriate allocation of dosages in comparison trials,  Poor selection and misallocation of participants,  Midstream changes of protocol, and failure to either monitor or record significant adverse events. Penalties for researchers who violate the ethics of scientific research (Saudi Arabia as a model) 1. The warning. 2. Suspension of the research until the effects of the violation are exceeded. 3. Preventing the principal investigator from carrying out the research in which the violation occurred. 4. A fine not exceeding 200,000 (two hundred thousand Saudi riyals). 5. Imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months. ‫ كلية‬-‫ لطيفة الحسينان‬.‫ د‬:‫األخالقيات واألمان الحيوي في علم األحياء (المؤلف‬ 2018 -‫ جامعة األميرة نورة بنت عبد الرحمن‬-‫العلوم‬ Scientific integrity Research integrity may be defined as active adherence to the ethical principles and professional standards essential for the responsible practice of research. Honesty and fairness in proposing, performing, and reporting research; Accuracy and fairness in representing contributions to research proposals and reports; Summary of practices that achieve scientific integrity Proficiency and fairness in peer review; Collegiality in scientific interactions, communications and sharing of resources; Disclosure of conflicts of interest; Protection of human subjects in the conduct of research; Humane care of animals in the conduct of research; Summary of practices that achieve scientific integrity Adherence to the mutual responsibilities of mentors and trainees. Honesty and proficiency in statistical analysis without bias to certain results. Scientific Justice Distributive justice means the equitable distribution of the burdens and benefits of research. Investigators may not exploit vulnerable individuals or exclude without good reason eligible candidates who may benefit from a trial. Research methodology and study designs Types of research • Fundamental research: Also known as basic- pure research, seeks to expand barriers of knowledge in the given area. • For example development of research methods and propagation of new theories. • Applied research: Also known as decisional research. Attempts to use existing knowledge for resolving the current problem. • For example Application of genetics engineering. Objectives of the research Objectives of the research Steps of the research Research design Research design adds to the rationale of the study hence it answer the following questions Importance of study design Types of study designs Three research approaches Types of study designs Selection of the appropriate study design The most important issue in study design is determination of variables Determination of variables… Determination of variables…. How to select samples Systematic randomization: No. Population ∕No. samples = Interval between samples Steps in developing a sampling plan Sampling process Characteristics of research data Management of data: Data reduction and analysis Presentation End Any question?