Research Ethics

The honest and accurate communication of research findings is the fulfillment of research. It is an obligation for researchers and ensures that research can generate impact. Findings from research are communicated by a diverse array of research output types including peer-reviewed journal articles, research books, book chapters, conference presentation and abstracts, creative works and performances. Regardless of the form this takes, principles underpinning responsible research communication are honesty, accuracy, transparency and openness.

Openness:-  You should always be prepared to share your data and results, along with any new tools that you have developed, when you publish your findings, as this helps to further knowledge and advance science. You should also be open to criticism and new ideas.

Respect for Intellectual Property:- You should never plagiaries, or copy, other people’s work and try to pass it off as your own. You should always ask for permission before using other people’s tools or methods, unpublished data or results. Not doing so is plagiarism. Obviously, you need to respect copyrights and patents, together with other forms of intellectual property, and always acknowledge contributions to your research. If in doubt, acknowledge, to avoid any risk of plagiarism.

Objectivity:- You should aim to avoid bias in any aspect of your research, including design, data analysis, interpretation, and peer review. For example, you should never recommend as a peer reviewer someone you know, or who you have worked with, and you should try to ensure that no groups are inadvertently excluded from your research. This also means that you need to disclose any personal or financial interests that may affect your research.

Confidentiality:- You should respect anything that has been provided in confidence. You should also follow guidelines on protection of sensitive information such as patient records.

Responsible Publication:- You should publish to advance to state of research and knowledge, and not just to advance your career. This means, in essence, that you should not publish anything that is not new, or that duplicates someone else’s work.

Happy Learning!

Anamika Gupta

IAAN