Ethical principles associated with the publication of research in ASHA's scholarly journals: importance and adequacy of coverage.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this 2-part study was to determine the importance of specific topics relating to publication ethics and adequacy of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's (ASHA's) policies regarding these topics.

METHOD

A 56-item Web-based survey was sent to (a) ASHA journal editors, associate editors, and members of the Publications Board (Group 1); (b) authors, reviewers, and members of ASHA's Board of Ethics (Group 2); and (c) a random sample of the ASHA membership, characterized as journal readers (Group 3). The survey contained 4 questions related to ethical principles associated with the publication of research: (a) In regard to scientific integrity in research publications in general, how important is the issue of [topic]? (b) Should ASHA publication policies address this issue? (c) Do ASHA policies address this issue? (d) If yes, how adequately do ASHA policies address this issue? A second study evaluated the contents of ASHA's publication policy documents in regard to their coverage of the survey topics.

RESULTS

Results indicated many of the topics deemed most important by all groups were included in ASHA's publication policy documents; other topics, although included, were not adequately addressed.

CONCLUSIONS

ASHA needs a single, unifying publication policy document, and increased education of all groups in the realm of ethics in the publication process is indicated.