1. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND DISCLOSURE
PSC 3001 – Introduction to Senior Projects in Science
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND DISCLOSURE
Adapted from On Being a Scientist, 3rd Ed.

2. Conflicts of Interest Researchers have varied interests:
Personal
Intellectual
Financial
Professional
“The term “conflict of interest” refers to situations where researchers have interests that could interfere with their professional judgment.”

3. Conflicting Interests
“Conflicting interests arise in many ways.”
Commercialization of research results: Academic or commercial interests?
Publications: Record or significance?
Grant proposals: Safe or advancement?
Financial gain can potentially affect:
The design of an experiment
The interpretation of data
The presentation of results
The researcher’s reputation
See “Does the Source of Research Funding Influence Research Findings?” on page 47 (page 66 of pdf file)

4. Conflicts of Interest in the News

5. Conflicts of Commitment
Researchers have to make difficult decisions about how to divide their time:
Research versus other life responsibilities
How to best serve their scientific disciplines
How to respect their employer’s interests, mission, and values
How to respect their own interests and values
How to represent science to the broader society
“Managing these responsibilities is challenging but different from managing conflicts of interest.”
See “A Conflict of Commitment” on page 45 (page 64 of pdf file)

6. Upcoming Due Dates Assignment 2: Professional Ethics Exercise
Due on Thursday, February 27th
Assignment 3: Senior Project Advisor Search
Due on Thursday, March 6th
Midterm Presentation
Be prepared to present in class on Thursday, March 6th
Evaluation rubric is posted on Blackboard
Midterm Progress Report
Due on Thursday, March 20th