The scientific research enterprise is built on a foundation of trust. Scientists trust that the results reported by others are valid. Society trusts that the results of research reflect an honest attempt by scientists to describe the world accurately and without bias. But this trust will endure only if the scientific community devotes itself to exemplifying and transmitting the values associated with ethical scientific conduct.



On Being a Scientist was designed to supplement the informal lessons in ethics provided by research supervisors and mentors. The book describes the ethical foundations of scientific practices and some of the personal and professional issues that researchers encounter in their work. It applies to all forms of research-whether in academic, industrial, or governmental settings-and to all scientific disciplines.



This third edition of On Being a Scientist reflects developments since the publication of the original edition in 1989 and a second edition in 1995. A continuing feature of this edition is the inclusion of a number of hypothetical scenarios offering guidance in thinking about and discussing these scenarios.



On Being a Scientist is aimed primarily at graduate students and beginning researchers, but its lessons apply to all scientists at all stages of their scientific careers.



Table of Contents


Front Matter
Introduction to the Responsible Conduct of Research
Advising and Mentoring
The Treatment of Data
Mistakes and Negligence
Research Misconduct
Responding to Suspected Violations of Professional Standards
Human Participants and Animal Subjects in Research
Laboratory Safety in Research
Sharing of Research Results
Authorship and the Allocation of Credit
Intellectual Property
Competing Interests, Commitments, and Values
The Researcher in Society
Appendix: Discussion of Case Studies
Additional Resources