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RCR - Point for Discussion

These notable quotes, published in journals, reports and other documents produced by scientific organizations, associations, and government agencies, may be useful in stimulating discussions about research integrity, research misconduct, and the responsible conduct of research. A new point for discussion will be selected monthly. Read all discussion points.

Research Environment

“An environment that protects and nurtures research integrity is one in which questions can be freely raised. All individuals actually or potentially involved in maintaining scientific integrity need the security of knowing that open-mindedness and fair procedures are ensured.” Report of the Commission on Research Integrity, p. 24. Department of Health and Human Services, 1995.

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“Although the committee believes that serious misconduct in science is rare and is ultimately a manifestation of individual deviance, it concludes that institutions fail to detect and correct early deviant behavior, primarily because of an excessively permissive research environment that tolerates sloppy and careless practices.” The Responsible Conduct of Research in the Health Sciences, p. 3, IOM, 1989.

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“...in the long run, the quality of the research environment may be more damaged by sloppy or careless research practices and apathy than by incidents of research fraud or other serious scientific misconduct...preliminary studies and workshop discussions suggest that the research community tolerates too many substandard practices. These abuses must be corrected to restore a sense of moral integrity and professionalism in research.” The Responsible Conduct of Research in the Health Sciences, p. 21, IOM, 1989.

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“Several sociological analyses of selected professions...have concluded that the most significant determinant of compliance with professional norms is the social setting of professional practice. In keeping with this finding, there is a real need for scientific institutions to address the social environment of their faculty, staff, and students and to identify organizational elements, incentives, and barriers that shape their understanding of, and adherence to, responsible research standards.” The Responsible Conduct of Research in the Health Sciences, p. 33, IOM, 1989.

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“The research environment is stressful and yet conducive to the remarkable productivity of researchers. The rewards for successful research are greater now than in the past, but today’s rapid pace of development may undermine critical internal checks and balances and may increase opportunities for misrepresentation or distortion of research results.” Responsible Science: Ensuring the Integrity of the Research Process. Vol. 1:9, NAS, 1992.

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