research ethics black & white … & the large gray area in-between

Research Ethics Black & white

… & the large gray area in-between

Cindy Rankin, Ph.D.Dept of Physiology

Physiological Sciences GIDPResearch Integrity Officer

RCR Workshop March 14

Ways in which research or professionalism goes

awry

Plagiarism Sloppiness/bad recording keeping Fabrication Fraud Misuse/abuse of human/animal subjects

Misuse of funds/materials/environment

Authorship/responsibility

RCR Workshop March 14

Why research/professionalism

goes awry

Greed Career advancement/pressures Ignorance Disconnection from project:

Lack of motivation, connection or responsibility

Lack of faith in project Jealousy Revenge Mistake or carelessness

RCR Workshop March 14

Why does it matter?

RCR Workshop March 14

RCR Workshop March 14

Why does it matter?

Progress in knowledge depends on: Honesty Fairness Accuracy Respect

RCR Workshop March 14

Why else does it matter?

RCR Workshop March 14

Research also brings in considerable

funding….

Provides 1 Support for:

• Research

• Faculty

• Students

• Educational activities

• Facilities/infrastructure

• Services

Figure 2: Total Research Funding

RCR Workshop March 14

Research also brings in considerable

funding….

Provides 1 Support for:

Research

• Faculty

• Students

• Educational activities

• Facilities/infrastructure

• ServicesBut only if done well!

Figure 2: Total Research Funding

RCR Workshop March 14

A bit of History

Science & scientific professionals presumed intrinsically ‘good’

Self – corrections will address problems

“Norms” passed on via training

RCR Workshop March 14

History cont.

In 1980’s Congress got involved

Substantial use of public money (pie)

RCR Workshop March 14

Federal sources predominate

RCR Workshop March 14

History cont.

In 1980’s Congress got involved Substantial use of public money Responsibility & accountability needed

Subcommittee findings More than anticipated Need standards and protocols

RCR Workshop March 14

History cont. - Development of definitions for NIH Fabrication: making up data or results & recording or reporting them

Falsification: manipulating research or scholarship materials, equipment or processes, changing or omitting data such that not accurately represented

Plagiarism: appropriation of another person’s ideas, processes, results or words with out giving appropriate credit.

RCR Workshop March 14

Beyond ‘FFP’

ALSO – not to be tolerated: Other practices that seriously deviate from those that are commonly accepted within the academic community for proposing, conducting or reporting research.

Removed from official definitions as of 2000

RCR Workshop March 14

What to do if you suspect??

Clarify or document Discuss, if possible Contact:

Mentor or dept chair RIO – 621-3104 Hotline – 866-364-1908 Ombudsman program - 626-5589 VPR office, Grad college - 621-3513

RCR Workshop March 14

What happens next?

Pre-Inquiry (initial investigation) confidential and documentary

Inquiry Decision

No misconduct Misconduct found

Proof, significant departure, intent affects funding, publications, career

RCR Workshop March 14

Questions????

Feel free to contact me Cindy Rankin, Ph.D.Dept of Physiology

Physiological Sciences621-3104crankin@u.arizona.edu