Utilizing the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Resources to Teach Ethical Writing Skills to Undergraduates in STEM Courses

Volume 15, Number 2 248 development, during which the discussion of a scenario or case, or even the interpretation of specific chapters from Macrina’s text could occur. Use of this text should be discussion-focused, as suggested, because online tutorials and impersonal approaches to RCR would further support the stigma that training in research ethics is insignificant. In more ways than one, this edition of the text is critically important to the active researcher rather than the research instructor. Competency and fluency in the language and goals of RCR are critical at all stages of the research experience, especially now with the increasing focus on interdisciplinary collaboration. This is addressed directly in the text along with concerns of authorship and data ownership. This edition of the text is therefore important for professional development of the budding researcher and the experienced research fellow alike. Each chapter and provided case scenario provokes an interesting reflective conversation on ethical issues and even deep seated moral values. Conversing with peers and colleagues may unveil a spectrum of ethical opinions that can vary drastically from your own, and this text aids those discussions. Almost 20 years after the first edition was released, Macrina has further established an intriguing approach to discussing scientific misconduct and ways to avoid ethical dilemmas in research. Important concepts within the current state of research have been considered with a broad research audience in mind. The text’s foreword provides helpful hints to instructors (including delivery style, tentative schedule, participants, timeframe, and even a sample instruction model) for a stand-alone class focused on discussing RCR as necessary in a research-intensive institution. Therefore I would highly recommend this text to anyone who either is interested in research ethics, mentors research students, or is slated to teach a course in research methods.