Researching with integrity: the ethics of academic enquiry

Macfarlane, Bruce (2009) Researching with integrity: the ethics of academic enquiry , Abingdon, GB. Routledge, 192pp.

Abstract

There is increased emphasis internationally on ethically sound research, and on good training for research supervisors. Researching with Integrity aims to identify what and how research can be undertaken ethically and with ‘virtue’ from initial conception of ideas through to dissemination. It outlines the context in which academics engage in research, considering the impact of discipline and institutional culture, the influence of government audit of research ‘quality’, the role of government and quangos, professional organisations and business sponsors, and examines the effects of the increasing power and influence of funding bodies, university ethics committees and codes of practice.

Based on the notion of ‘virtue’ ethics, this book proposes an alternative approach to research, which focuses not only on ethical rules and protocol to avoid unethical research, but encourages academic, professional and character development and allows for the exercise of personal judgement.

Themes considered include:

Increased competitiveness between academics and concentration of funding in fewer universities

Increasingly bureaucratic approval of processes focused on the treatment of human and animals in research

Meeting the expectations of research sponsors

‘Taboo’ research topics and methods

Exposing findings to the scrutiny of peers, taking credit for the work of others and self-citation

Bullying of junior researchers and plagiarism

Power and influence of institutional, discipline-based and professional organisations.

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