Research Ethics
Understand the ethical principles that govern research and scholarship.
Research ethics are the principles that ensure research is conducted honestly, respects participants, and contributes genuine knowledge. Violations of research ethics can cause real harm and undermine public trust in science.
Core Research Ethics Principles
- Honesty: Report findings accurately, including negative results
- Integrity: Do not fabricate, falsify, or plagiarize data
- Objectivity: Minimize bias in research design and reporting
- Transparency: Disclose methods, data, and conflicts of interest
- Respect for persons: Protect research participants' rights and wellbeing
- Beneficence: Maximize benefits and minimize harms
Research Misconduct
Research misconduct — fabricating data, falsifying results, or plagiarizing — is a serious violation that can have far-reaching consequences. False research can influence policy, medical practice, and public understanding for years before it is detected and retracted.
Sometimes published studies are later retracted because of errors or misconduct. Always check if a study you are citing has been retracted. Retraction Watch is a database that tracks retracted studies.
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3 questions · Grade 5 level