A STUDY OF ETHICAL PRINCIPLES FOR RESEARCH SCIENTISTS: AN ANALYSIS OF THE ETHICAL BEHAVIOR OF RESEARCH SCIENTISTS AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

Since the beginning of the nuclear age and recent advances in biology, concern has been growing among the general populace about the possibility of unethical behavior by research scientists, and about the misapplication of natural science discoveries. Scrutiny of the available literature reveals conflicting views regarding ethical responsibility of research scientists and a lack of understanding regarding by what sources of knowledge research scientists became aware of ethical principles for research ethics. The major purpose of this study was twofold: to determine the pattern of ethical behavior of research scientists, and to explore their sources of knowledge of ethical principles. As a supportive effort, this study inquired into the attitude of research scientists toward ethical principles, and their perception of the ethical behavior of other scientists. An ultimate purpose was to make recommendations for higher education. To determine the ethical behavior of research scientists, ethical principles were selected from the literature. The basis for the selection of ethical principles was concern for human worth and general applicability to research scientists. The randomly selected sample was limited to 300 research scientists in biology, chemistry, geology and physics. Of the 300, eighty-six indicated themselves to be ineligible because of retirements or transfers to administration; three were no longer working in the United States; one was dead; and eight had moved leaving no forwarding addresses. Of the remaining 202 members, 135 filled out and returned the questionnaire (a 66.8 percent return of eligible questionnaires). Research scientists' attitude toward ethical principles has been documented as a result of this study. Research scientists in general strongly believe that ethical principles are very important. Majorities of the research scientists, ranging from 52.6 percent to 94.8 percent, have rated ten of the eleven selected principles as "very important." The only principle having failed to be regarded as very important by a majority was that of "considering ethical implications as important as scientific implications.". Perhaps the most significant finding is that research scientists are generally adhering to ethical principles mostly from the beginning of their career. Each of the eleven principles is being observed by majorities of 62.9 percent to 97 percent. Naturally, there are disparities between attitude and behavior, but the significance of the disparities is negligible. The perception of research scientists regarding ethical behavior of other scientists reinforces the validity of the finding that research scientists are generally adhering to ethical principles. It is interesting to note that research scientists tend to be more doubtful about the ethical behavior of other scientists than about themselves. "Conscience" was identified as the single greatest source of awareness of ethical principles for the respondents. Teaching in science course work had also significant influence. Another important but less significant source was science publication. Only about 10 percent indicated that they have ever benefited from higher education for their background on research ethics. In contrast, 43 percent cited independent reading as their sole background. For six of the ethical principles, more than 10 percent did not begin adhering to them until becoming aware of them later in their career. It has been determined that research scientists are generally concerned with and, more importantly, are in fact adhering to ethical principles whenever applicable to their situation; and "conscience" is the single greatest source of awareness for research scientists of ethical principles.