Ethics with respect to science and research

Ethics in science and research refers to the principles and values that guide scientific inquiry and the
conduct of research. This includes issues such as informed consent, the use of human subjects, animal
rights, data integrity, and conflicts of interest. It also includes broader social and moral considerations,
such as the impact of research on society, and the responsible use and dissemination of research
findings. Adhering to ethical principles helps to ensure that scientific research is conducted in a fair,
responsible, and transparent manner, and that its results are used for the benefit of all.

Intellectual honesty and research integrity

Intellectual honesty and research integrity refer to the principles of being honest and truthful in the
conduct of research. This includes accurately representing data and sources, avoiding plagiarism and
fabrication, and giving credit where credit is due. Adhering to these principles is essential for
maintaining the trust and credibility of the scientific community. It also helps to ensure that research
findings are accurate and can be replicated, which is necessary for the advancement of knowledge.

Scientific misconducts: Falsification, Fabrication and Plagiarism (FFP)

Scientific misconduct refers to unethical behavior in the conduct of scientific research. The three main
types of scientific misconduct are falsification, fabrication, and plagiarism (FFP).

Falsification refers to the manipulation or alteration of data to make it appear as though it supports a
particular hypothesis or conclusion. Fabrication refers to the creation of data or results that do not
actually exist. Plagiarism refers to the use of others’ work or ideas without proper attribution. All of
these actions undermine the integrity of the scientific process and can lead to inaccurate or misleading
conclusions

Redundant publications: duplicate and overlapping publications, salami slicing

Redundant publications refer to the practice of publishing the same or similar research multiple times in
different journals or venues. “Duplicate publications” refer to cases where the same work is published in
multiple places without proper citation or attribution. “Overlapping publications” refer to cases where
significant portions of the same research are published in multiple places with some variation. “Salami
slicing” refers to the practice of breaking up a larger study into smaller, more incremental publications in
order to increase the number of publications.

All of these practices are generally considered unethical and can lead to a loss of trust in the scientific
community.

Selective reporting and misrepresentation of data.

Selective reporting and misrepresentation of data in research publications are considered unethical in
the scientific community. Selective reporting refers to the practice of only reporting certain aspects of a
study, often the positive or statistically significant results, while omitting others. Misrepresentation of
data refers to manipulating or falsifying data to support a particular conclusion or hypothesis. Both
practices can lead to inaccurate conclusions and a lack of transparency in the scientific process,
undermining the credibility of the research and the trust of the public in science. Researchers have a
responsibility to report their findings in a complete and honest manner, and institutions have a
responsibility to ensure that their researchers adhere to these ethical principles.