Ethics in Research and Scientific Misconduct Case Study

Research Planning & Communication
Ethics Essay
Student Name:
Student Code:
Subject Name:
Subject Code:
Date Due:
Professor Name:
Trimester Two, 2018
1

Table of Contents
1. PART 1: ETHICS IN RESEARCH.............................................................................................3
1.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................3
1.2 Importance of Research Ethics..............................................................................................3
1.3 Ethics Monitoring Australia...................................................................................................4
1.4 Key Ethical Issues..................................................................................................................5
1.5 Conclusion.............................................................................................................................5
1.6 Reference Lists.......................................................................................................................6
2. Part 2: SCIENTIFIC MISCONDUCT CASE STUDY...............................................................8
2.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................8
2.2 Research Misconduct.............................................................................................................8
2.3 Canada Code of Conduct.....................................................................................................10
2.4 Conclusion...........................................................................................................................10
2.5 Reference Lists.....................................................................................................................12
2

1. PART 1: ETHICS IN RESEARCH
1.1 Introduction
An ethical norm as a way of not causing harm is learnt at school or church or in other
social setting (Gillan & Pickerill, 2012). While the moral conduct of deciding upon the right or
the wrong is learnt during the human life, individuals interpret and apply them according to their
understanding, values and through experiences. Ethics can be defined as a code of conduct that
governs behaviours. Almost every profession, discipline, activities have their set of ethical
principles that matches their goals. Similarly ethical conduct applies in the area of research as
well (Oliver, 2010). Ethical principles application ensures promotion of knowledge, truth and in
avoiding errors such as fabricating or falsification or misrepresentation.
1.2 Importance of Research Ethics
The role of ethics is considerable in research, as research requires coordinating and
cooperating between varied different institutions, people and disciplines, ethical principles aids
in collaboration. Ethical principles of accountability, trust, fairness and mutual respect ensures
conducting such research (Alderson & Morrow, 2011). Various ethical norms within research
which promotes protection of intellectual property while collaborating, includes patenting
policies, copyright, authorship, peer review and so on. In the case of research undertaken for
Assignment 3, the topic of Plastic Pollution of destroying Corals in Great Barrier Reef, ethical
norms will have tremendous considerations. In the research topic, I will need to coordinate
between Ocean Scientists department, local community and government data (Resnik, 2011).
While dealing with enormous volumes of information, I need to ensure that there is no
falsification of data and the true picture can be represented with utmost fairness. All names of
participants within the research will be kept confidential, and they will be explained regarding
3

the research with its possible impacts prior to their taking part in the study. There will be no
coercion on any participant to undertake part in the study (McMillan & Schumacher, 2010).
Ethical norms hold the researcher accountable to public, this is essential for scientific
research which has impact on general public. Most important role of ethical norm in research is
that it allows building public support in research. Funding for a research project can be raised in
case the public considers the research to be integral and having social value (Faden, Kass,
Goodman, Pronovost, Tunis & Beauchamp, 2013). Lastly, ethics in research is able to promote
varied types of social and moral values, which can be seen as human rights, animal welfare and
similar other topic areas.
1.3 Ethics Monitoring Australia
Importance of ethics in research cannot be overstated; hence there are pertinent
guidelines that promote research integrity (RI) within Australia (Brown & Mitchell, 2010). As
the scope of my study is within Australia, I will be considering the various guidelines which
need to be followed in Australia. In Australia, the Research Integrity (RI) guideline is decided by
the Commonwealth. It is done by means of NHMRC, Australian Universities and ARC. These
guidelines are a must in cases of all Commonwealth funded organizations and its general
responsibilities are well-defined in the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research
(2018). Its general principles include promotion of honesty and integrity, good stewardship
regarding usage of public resources. It also includes respect for human research participants,
environment and animals. It encompasses acknowledging other’s role within the scope of the
research. For my project apart from this guideline, I will need to get approval for Biosafety and
Biosecurity along with Human Research Ethics. Legal issues that I will need to deal with will
include Sponsorship and contracts, the subsequently privacy laws according to Privacy Act 1988.
4