Research Ethics for Scientists: A Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Ethical Challenges

As the scientific community continues to evolve, researchers face increasingly complex ethical dilemmas that can have far-reaching consequences. In this fully updated textbook, Research Ethics for Scientists, C. Neal Stewart provides a definitive how-to guide to help advanced students and young scientists navigate these challenges and conduct research that adheres to the highest ethical standards.

The Importance of Ethical Research Practices

With the growing number of scientific journals, government regulations, and institutional guidelines, researchers are more likely than ever to unintentionally commit research misconduct or fail to detect intentional misbehavior. This handbook critically examines the key problems that arise in research management and practice, offering practical solutions to ensure the integrity of scientific research.

Accessible and Comprehensive Coverage

The book’s accessible chapters are logically organized into functional themes and units, covering five crucial areas for sustained success in science:

• Generating and Developing Ideas
• Collaboration and Working with People
• Managing and Analyzing Data
• Publishing and Sharing Research Findings
• Securing Funding and Resources

New and Updated Content in the Second Edition

This edition features:

• New discussions on innovations to detect and adjudicate research misconduct
• Analyses of vulnerabilities in research practices exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic
• New methods of cheating and skewing the peer review process
• Entirely new case studies focusing on harassment and bullying, anti-science and pseudoscience, equality and equity issues, data fabrication, and more
• Integrated coverage of gender, race, student training, and other important social issues

Emerging Trends and Challenges in Scientific Research

The book covers pressing issues such as:

• The ethics of rushing to publish research findings
• The use of text-similarity detecting software to reveal plagiarism
• Image analysis techniques for detecting data and image manipulation
• Universal open access (OA) publishing and research metrics
• New models for peer review and working for multiple employers
• The rise of shadow labs for individual scientists

A Valuable Resource for Scientists-in-Training

Written by an experienced researcher and PhD mentor, Research Ethics for Scientists is an indispensable companion for graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, early-career professors, and scientists involved in teaching scientists-in-training. The book includes access to a companion website with PowerPoint slides of case studies and figures, making it an essential tool for navigating the complex landscape of scientific research ethics.