Scientific misconduct Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

scientific misconduct - Essay ExampleSeveral journals publish their own ethical guidelines (Coats, 2008). However, it is surprise that many journals say little or nothing in their Instructions to Authors about which types of info manipulations and info presentation conducts are acceptable and which are not. A particularly delicate issue is that of digital token manipulation. In the days before imaging software became so widely available, fashioning adjustments to image data in the darkroom required considerable effort and/or expertise. It is now rattling simple, and thus tempting, to adjust or modify digital image files. Many such manipulations have been recently discussed and stigmatized in biology clear up journals (Rossner, 2004). For what concerns handling of scientific misconduct, several institutions have issued guidelines, even though determining appropriate sanctions is often very difficult and may vary in any specific case. As remarked in the NIH guidelines, sanctions imposed on a particular individual may have consequences that are much broader, i.e. members of the laboratory may be indirectly or directly affected as well. There should be a logical arrangement between the nature and severity of the proven allegations and the sanctions imposed. (NIH Committee on Scientific Conduct and Ethics, 2004). The sanctions may include, except are not limited to, the following removal from a particular project letter of dun to be included in the individuals NIH personnel file special monitoring of work decrease in laboratory support probation suspension with or without pay denial of a raise in wages or a salary/rank reduction termination of employment (NIH Committee on Scientific Conduct and Ethics, 2004). Questions and answers CASE ONE a) Do you agree with the committees finding? Why or why not? I do agree, since the student behavior in case report understandably corresponds to the current definition(s) of scientific misconduct issued by several indepe ndent institutions and committees (see Introduction for such a definition). b) Dr. tinker was a co-author of the submitted manuscript. Should he overly be found guilty of scientific misconduct? He should not be directly guilty of scientific misconduct. N unrivaledtheless, he is likely the last author of the melodic theme since he is the mentor of the student. Last authors, and corresponding authors, have several clearly stated responsibilities, such as controlling that the co-authors of their work are mentioned and agree to terms and conditions of publications etc. Last authors and corresponding authors have also implicit responsibilities, such as mentoring and controlling students behavior and skills. As a part of the education computer programme underlying a laboratory experience, there is teaching scientific behavior. The latter consists of not only making experiments following the scientific method but it also includes ethical behavior, since science is based on the self-as sertion that experiments are true and reliable. Dr. Potter will likely have severe consequences from his lack of attention for instance, he will need to publish a corrigendum or to retreat his paper from the journal. This act negatively affects ones credibility with negative fallout on future publications. c) Should the university revoke Georges degree? Revoking a students degree is one of the sanctions hypothesized by several american universities in the case of scientific misconducts. For instance, Case western Reserve University, in his Graduate School guidelines on handling scientific misconducts states In the event that a suspected infraction of academic integrity standards is