a Institute for Biomedical Ethics , University of Basel , Basel , Switzerland.
Account Res. 2018;25(6):311-339. doi: 10.1080/08989621.2018.1493577. Epub 2018 Jul 13.
This article describes and discusses the views of researchers on the significance of raising concerns about scientific misconduct in their work environment and the reasons or circumstances that might deter them from doing so. In this exploratory qualitative research study, we conducted in-depth interviews with 33 researchers working in life sciences and medicine. They represent three seniority levels and five universities across Switzerland. A large majority of respondents in this research study argued that failure to raise concerns about scientific misconduct compromises research integrity. This is an encouraging result demonstrating that researchers try to adhere to high ethical standards. However, further interaction with respondents highlighted that this correct ethical assessment does not lead researchers to take the consequent action of raising concerns. The factors that discourage researchers from raising concerns need to be addressed at the level of research groups, institutions, and by setting a positive precedent which helps them to believe in the system's ability to investigate concerns raised in a timely and professional manner. Training of researchers in research integrity related issues will have limited utility unless it is coupled with the creation of research culture where raising concerns is a standard practice of scientific and research activities.
本文描述并讨论了研究人员对在工作环境中关注科学不端行为的重要性的看法，以及可能阻止他们这样做的原因或情况。在这项探索性的定性研究中，我们对来自瑞士不同地区的 33 名生命科学和医学领域的研究人员进行了深入访谈。他们代表了三个资历层次和五所大学。在这项研究中，绝大多数受访者认为，对科学不端行为的担忧的忽视会损害研究的完整性。这是一个令人鼓舞的结果，表明研究人员努力遵守高标准的道德规范。然而，与受访者的进一步互动表明，这种正确的道德评估并没有促使研究人员采取提出担忧的相应行动。阻碍研究人员提出担忧的因素需要在研究小组、机构一级加以解决，并树立一个积极的榜样，让他们相信该系统有能力及时、专业地调查提出的担忧。除非与培养一种关注提出担忧是科学和研究活动的标准做法的研究文化相结合，否则对研究人员进行与研究诚信相关问题的培训将收效甚微。
