The "how" and "whys" of research: life scientists' views of accountability.

Journal of Medical Ethics
J M LaddM K Cho

Abstract

To investigate life scientists' views of accountability and the ethical and societal implications of research. Qualitative focus group and one-on-one interviews. 45 Stanford University life scientists, including graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty. Two main themes were identified in participants' discussions of accountability: (1) the "how" of science and (2) the "why" of science. The "how" encompassed the internal conduct of research including attributes such as honesty and independence. The "why," or the motivation for conducting research, was two-tiered: first was the desire to positively impact the research community and science itself, and second was an interest in positively impacting the external community, broadly referred to as society. Participants noted that these motivations were influenced by the current systems of publications, grants and funding, thereby supporting a complex notion of boundary-setting between science and non-science. In addition, while all participants recognised the "how" of science and the two tiers of "why," scientists expressed the need to prioritise these domains of accountability. This prioritisation was related to a researcher's position in the academic career trajectory an...Continue Reading

Citations

May 3, 2011·The American Journal of Bioethics : AJOB·Frazier Benya
Oct 4, 2013·AJOB Primary Research·Nanibaa' A Garrison, Mildred K Cho
Jan 27, 2012·Science Translational Medicine·Molly HavardDavid Magnus
Apr 29, 2011·Placenta·A HalkoahoK Vähäkangas
Aug 7, 2012·AJOB Primary Research·Jennifer Blair McCormickMildred Cho
Sep 21, 2016·Journal of Empirical Research on Human Research Ethics : JERHRE·Alison L AntesJames M DuBois

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