Research Ethics Black & white … & the large gray area in-between

1. Research EthicsBlack & white … & the large gray area in-between Cindy Rankin, Ph.D. Dept of Physiology Physiological Sciences GIDP Research Integrity Officer

2. 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

3. 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

4. Why does it matter? RCR Workshop March 14

5. RCR Workshop March 14

6. Why does it matter? • Progress in knowledge depends on: • Honesty • Fairness • Accuracy • Respect RCR Workshop March 14

7. Why else does it matter? RCR Workshop March 14

8. Research also brings in considerable funding…. Figure 2: Total Research Funding • Provides 1 Support for: • Research • Faculty • Students • Educational activities • Facilities/infrastructure • Services RCR Workshop March 14

9. Research also brings in considerable funding…. Figure 2: Total Research Funding • Provides 1 Support for: • Research • Faculty • Students • Educational activities • Facilities/infrastructure • Services But only if done well! RCR Workshop March 14

10. A bit of History • Science & scientific professionals presumed intrinsically ‘good’ • Self – corrections will address problems • “Norms” passed on via training RCR Workshop March 14

11. History cont. • In 1980’s Congress got involved • Substantial use of public money (pie) RCR Workshop March 14

12. Federal sources predominate RCR Workshop March 14

13. 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

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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. Questions???? • Feel free to contact me Cindy Rankin, Ph.D. Dept of Physiology Physiological Sciences 621-3104 crankin@u.arizona.edu RCR Workshop March 14