on being a scientist

• On Being a Scientist: A Guide to Responsible Conduct in Research: Third Edition
• The National Academies Press offers instant access to free PDF downloads of titles
• Distribution, posting, or copying of the PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission
• All materials in the PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences
• Request reprint permission for the book
• 10% off print titles and custom notification of new releases in your field of interest
• The National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National Research Council are involved in the publication
• The PDF is available from The National Academies Press at http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12192
• ISBN: 978-0-309-11970-2, 82 pages, 6 x 9 PAPERBACK (2009)
• Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy, National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and Institute of Medicine
• The project was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council
• The study was supported by Contract/Grant No. SES-0450918 between the National Academy of Sciences and the National Science Foundation
• The report was authored by a committee chosen for their special competences and with regard for appropriate balance
• The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit, self-perpetuating society of distinguished scholars engaged in scientific and engineering research
• The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964 as a parallel organization of outstanding engineers
• The Institute of Medicine was established in 1970 to secure the services of eminent members in policy matters pertaining to public health
• The National Research Council was organized in 1916 to associate the broad community of science and technology with the Academy's purposes
• Committee on Being a Scientist
• The committee includes individuals with expertise in various fields such as Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Engineering, Philosophy, and Neurology
• Principal support staff include Study Directors, Consultants/Writers, Program Officers, and Financial Associates
• Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy
• The committee is chaired by George M. Whitesides and includes members from various institutions and fields such as Physics, Aeronautics, Public Policy, and Neuropsychology
• The committee aims to provide advice on scientific and technical matters to the federal government
• Researchers have a responsibility to uphold and promote high standards in science
• They should serve as role models for their students and fellow researchers
• Established researchers should exemplify responsible practices in teaching and conversations with others
• They have a professional obligation to create positive research environments and respond to concerns about irresponsible behaviors
• Established researchers can gain a new appreciation for the importance of professional standards by discussing topics presented in guides like "On Being a Scientist" with their research groups and students
• The challenges posed by the increasing number of global and multinational ties within the science community will be further addressed in a subsequent publication of the National Research Council
• Scientific knowledge is achieved collectively through discussion and debate
• Collective deliberation is an effective way to explore how professional standards influence research
• Group discussions can reveal the issues involved in a decision, connect those issues to more general standards, explore the interests and perspectives of different stakeholders, and identify possible strategies for resolving problems
• The guide "On Being a Scientist" aims to stimulate group discussions in orientations, seminars, research settings, or informal meetings
• Training in the responsible conduct of research is essential and should be integrated into every course in science and related topics
• Responsible conduct is a crucial part of good research and should not be separated from the rest of the curriculum
• Discussions on ethical issues should continue during mentoring and advising sessions to raise awareness and promote debates among all researchers on matters of scientific ethics
• Researchers have three sets of obligations that motivate their adherence to professional standards
• First, researchers have an obligation to honor the trust that their colleagues place in them
• Science is a cumulative enterprise where new research builds on previous results
• Inaccurate research results can impede an entire field of research or send it in a wrong direction