What Would You Do? Case Studies in Science and Ethics Barbara Gastel, MD, MPH Texas A&M University

Overview A little about me - and my type of career Introduction: ethics in science Some cases Some principles Some resources A treat: some professionally related travel Questions and answers

A Little About Me Long interested in both science and writing Have a career that combines the two Glad to talk with others about science communication careers A related interest: ethics in science

Ethics in Science Responsible conduct - consistent with  Moral principles (for example, honesty)  Scientific norms (for example, giving credit) Sometimes not clear-cut, and so can pose dilemmas Important to:  Integrity of science (which is based on truth)  Credibility of science (respect by society)

Some Cases

Case 1A High school student A has been very busy. She is taking a heavy course load, she is on a sports team, and her relatives have been visiting. She was supposed to be making observations for an ecology project due tomorrow in her biology class, but she has barely started. She feels that she knows what the observations will show, and so she is tempted to make up the observations. What would you do?

Case 1B Researcher A has been very busy. He has lots of teaching at the university, he does volunteer work in the community, and he has a new child. He is supposed to submit a grant proposal next week to get funding for his research, but he has barely started gathering the preliminary data to include in it. He feels certain that he knows what the data will show, and so he is tempted to make up data to include. What would you do?

Principle: Avoid fabrication. (Fabrication: making things up)

Case 2A College student B is unhappy with the results of his chemistry experiment. He knows from the textbook what the numbers should be, and his numbers are somewhat different. He thinks that the laboratory instructor will be dissatisfied and so will give him a bad grade. Therefore he is thinking of changing the numbers somewhat. What would you do?

Case 2B Scientist B is unhappy with the images that she has prepared in her research. She knows what good such images look like, and hers look somewhat different. She thinks that her supervisor at the company will be dissatisfied and so will give her less of a raise. Therefore she is thinking of using Photoshop to alter the images somewhat. What would you do?

Principle: Avoid falsification. (Falsification: changing findings)

Case 3A Students C, D, and E are supposed to make a group presentation in their engineering course. However, they feel that they are not very good at preparing oral presentations. Searching the Internet, a group member finds an excellent PowerPoint presentation on the subject. She suggests that the group download it, change a few words, and present it. What would you do?

Case 3B Scientists C, D, and E are writing a journal article about some research that they did together. However, they feel that they are not very good at writing. Searching the Internet, one of the scientists finds a book chapter that describes very well the phenomenon that he and the others are studying. He suggests that the group include in their article some paragraphs from the chapter. What would you do?

Principle: Avoid plagiarism. (Plagiarism: using others’ words, images, ideas, or such as one’s own)

Some Principles (Put More Positively) Authenticity Accuracy Ethical treatment of humans and animals in research Disclosure of conflicts of interest Originality Credit Other?

Some Resources

On Being a Scientist On Being a Scientist: Responsible Conduct in Research Available online at og/12192/on-being-a- scientist-a-guide-to- responsible-conduct-in og/12192/on-being-a- scientist-a-guide-to- responsible-conduct-in Accompanied by a video

Doing Global Science Doing Global Science: A Guide to Responsible Conduct in the Global Research Enterprise Available online at ycouncil.net/24026/29429.aspx ycouncil.net/24026/29429.aspx

A Book on Communicating Science Ethics of doing science and ethics of communicating science are intertwined, as shown by the cases. Therefore some books on scientific writing address aspects of ethics in science.

AuthorAID (

As Promised: Glimpses from Professionally Related Travel

Bangladesh

Brazil

China

England

Ethiopia

France

Kenya

Nepal

Nicaragua

Pakistan

Rwanda

Sri Lanka

Questions and Comments

Special Thanks Dr. Larry Johnson for the invitation to present Torri Whitaker for coordinating arrangements Savannah Sult for enhancing the visual appeal of the slides.

Thank You!