The Issues and Challenges of Research Ethics

The institution of higher education is responsible for assisting students in the acquisition of knowledge, skills and cultural values that exemplify the responsible conduct of research (RCR) through a formal and organized process of learning. Unfortunately, these acquisition processes are particularly difficult to realize within the context of graduate education for two reasons. First, the process of graduate education and research is usually decentralized, increasingly complex, and often requires cross-disciplinary collaboration, at times involving multiple research groups and/or organizations. Second, students that participate in graduate education and research often represent the widely diverse socio-economic, racial, ethnic and international citizenship of the global research community. Few would deny the merits of an inclusive graduate student population. However, the decentralized and diverse nature of the graduate research and education process complicates any organization’s attempt to successfully communicate and sustain the values and practices that embody the responsible conduct of research (RCR). Besides the challenges of decentralization and value multiplicity that are endemic to graduate research and education, organizations that attempt to facilitate graduate student acquisition and compliance with values and practices consistent with the responsible conduct of research (RCR) must address three specific logistical challenges. First, academic competitive pressures and resource demands, particularly related to time, increase the difficulty of generating interest and enthusiasm for participation in seminars, workshops, or brief orientation sessions that tackle the subtle challenges related to adherence to the principles of