Hazel May Cayomo

BS Arch
STS, Section D
2.2. What is the relation of scientists with society? p6, Module 1
Individual Activity: On being a scientist
Read the US National Academies of Science booklet “On being a scientist: A guide to responsible
conduct in research
(http://biblioteca.ucv.cl/site/colecciones/manuales_u/12192.pdf) and Dr Cesar Saloma’s essay
“On being a scientist in one’s home country”
https://www.philstar.com/business/science-and-environment/2009/05/14/466957/being-scient
ist-ones-home-country.
Links to an external site.
1. What are the criteria that guide a scientist in her/his conduct of scientific work?
From the first article:
Trust, Ethical Foundations, Advising and Mentoring, Treatment of Data, Research Misconduct,
Responding to Suspected Violations, Human Participants and Animal Subjects, Sharing of
Research Results, Authorship and Credit Allocation, Intellectual Property, Competing Interests,
Commitments and Values, The Researcher in Society
From the second article:
1. Adding to Knowledge: Scientists, especially at the Ph.D. level, are anticipated to bring
forth novel insights to the existing body of scientific knowledge, aligning with science’s
objective of enhancing our comprehension of Nature’s workings.
2. Publishing Work: The publication of work in peer-reviewed journals is a crucial indicator
of scientific productivity. It forms the cornerstone of a scientific career, with every Nobel
Prize awardee having published at least one original scientific paper.
3. Guidance and Mentorship: Scientists, particularly those who are faculty members, are
expected to guide Ph.D. students. This necessitates them to hold Ph.D. degrees and have
the ability to mentor Ph.D. students effectively.
4. Talent Acquisition: Exceptional mentors play a vital role in recruiting young scientific
talents and retaining them in their home countries.
5. Impartiality Towards Fields: Scientists should recognize that no area in science and
technology holds more importance or difficulty than others. They should refrain from
attributing poor research performance to their field of study.
6. Developing Skills and Confidence: A scientist’s skills and confidence are honed through
extensive hours of experimentation and analysis, coupled with regular interactions with
supervisors and peers during research meetings and seminars.
 7. Continuous Learning: Regardless of their accomplishments, a scientist’s life is
characterized by daily endeavors to comprehend Nature with greater clarity and
precision.

2. To your mind, what aspects of social life do these criteria affect? Why?
The criteria for scientific work, as outlined in the two articles, impact various aspects of
social life. Trust and ethical foundations promote honesty and respect. Advising and mentoring
shape the future of science by inspiring students. Proper treatment of data and zero tolerance
for research misconduct ensure the integrity of scientific findings. Sharing research results
contributes to education and policy decisions. Authorship and credit allocation foster fairness
among peers. Intellectual property rights protect scientists’ inventions. Managing competing
interests maintains trust in science. Scientists’ commitments and values guide their societal
interactions. Adding to knowledge leads to societal progress. Impartiality promotes diversity in
science. Continuous learning encourages lifelong learning.

3. What are the differences between an individual scientists practice in the US and the
Philippines?
The US guide emphasizes the ethical conduct of research, stating that “Trust in science
depends on honest reporting, an honest review process, and the ability to reproduce results”. It
underscores the importance of maintaining integrity in scientific research, which is crucial for
building trust within the scientific community and society at large. Contrastingly, Dr. Saloma’s
essay provides a unique viewpoint from the Philippines. He highlights the role of faculty
members in guiding Ph.D. students, stating that “I expect faculty members to supervise Ph.D.
students. Hence, faculty members who teach in graduate programs must have the desired Ph.D.
degrees”. He also discusses the issue of brain drain, noting that “Great mentors are the most
effective recruiters of young scientific talents. They play a key role in containing the diaspora of
young Filipino scientific talents to the G-7 countries”.
In essence, while both guides underscore ethical conduct and mentorship, they spotlight
different challenges encountered by scientists in their respective countries. The US guide
focuses on upholding trust and integrity in research, while Dr. Saloma’s essay sheds light on
specific issues faced by scientists in the Philippines, such as brain drain and a lack of qualified
mentors.