Research Ethics: A Philosophical Guide to the Responsible Conduct of Research

by Gary Comstock

Overview

Education in the responsible conduct of research typically takes the form of online instructions about rules, regulations, and policies. Research Ethics takes a novel approach and emphasizes the art of philosophical decision-making. Part A introduces egoism and explains that it is in the individual's own interest to avoid misconduct, fabrication of data, plagiarism and bias. Part B explains contractualism and covers issues of authorship, peer review and responsible use of statistics. Part C introduces moral rights as the basis of informed consent, the use of humans in research, mentoring, intellectual property and conflicts of interests. Part D uses two-level utilitarianism to explore the possibilities and limits of the experimental use of animals, duties to the environment and future generations, and the social responsibilities of researchers. This book brings a fresh perspective to research ethics and will engage the moral imaginations of graduate students in all disciplines.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521187084
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	01/03/2013
Series:	Cambridge Medicine (Paperback)
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	310
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Gary Comstock is Professor of Philosophy at the Department of Philosophy and Religion, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina.

Table of Contents

Introduction; Part A. Protect my Interests: 1. Report misconduct; 2. Avoid plagiarism; 3. Beware intuition; 4. Justify decisions; Part B. Promote our Interests: 5. Articulate reasons; 6. Write cooperatively; 7. Protect manuscripts; 8. Clarify statistics; Part C. Respect Strangers' Rights: 9. Inform subjects; 10. Mentor inclusively; 11. Recognize property; 12. Reveal conflicts; Part D. Honor All Interests: 13. Treat humanely; 14. Preserve environments; 15. Cultivate responsibility; Conclusion.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Chiji Ogbuka, MA, MDiv (Saint Louis University)
Description: Using a philosophical lens, this book critically examines the complex domain of research ethics and responsible conduct of research (RCR). Addressing graduate students in all disciplines, the book collates information on RCR into a procedural guide for ethical decision-making in research.
Purpose: The author sets out to engage and nurture readers' interest in and curiosity about research, critical inquiry, and self-motivated ethical behavior, as well as to provide a useful introduction for those just entering the research community. The book describes research from the perspective of a vocation involving dedication, perseverance, self-examination, and self-clarification. Essentially, the author emphasizes the importance of "a coherent introduction to ethical thinking" in research and an induction of new researchers into a morally-minded research community.
Audience: The book is written for graduate students at the threshold of their research careers. Its relevance for graduate students as well as graduate instructors of research ethics cannot be overemphasized.
Features: The book's four major parts incorporate case studies, ethical theories, pertinent examples, concise essays, and take-home lessons. Part A discusses several kinds of self-regarding interests and offers practical and actionable avenues to protect them. Part B examines other-regarding interests from the perspective of the research community. Part C focuses on the nature of moral rights, individual dignity, and autonomy, and their relevance to research. Finally, part D underscores the necessity for integrity and civic responsibility in research involving nonhuman subjects. Each part provides in-depth analyses of key issues in research ethics. Each issue is directly relevant to the experience of graduate students involved in research.
Assessment: This book is unique in several respects. Clearly evident in the table of contents, it conveys an imperative for ethical thinking, decision-making, and moral action in research. In addition, it stimulates the moral imaginations of readers, and motivates a question-asking approach to research ethics rather than a memorization of rules, guidelines, regulations, or codes of conduct.

Doody's Review Service

…Unique in several respects…it conveys an imperative for ethical thinking, decision-making, and moral action in research…it stimulates the moral imaginations of readers, and motivates a question-asking approach to research ethics..."

- Doody's Review Service

From the Publisher