Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

ORI Introduction to the Responsible Conduct of Research

2004; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1037/e639912011-001

Nicholas H. Steneck, David Zinn,

Biomedical Ethics and Regulation

S purred by a growing belief in the importance of science and technology, public support for research increased dramatically over the course of the 20 th century.A century ago, research did not play a major role in the average person's life.Today, few aspects of life are not touched in one way or another by the information and technologies generated through research.With growing public support for research has come an understandable concern about the way it is conducted.Public funds support roughly onethird of all research and development (R&D) in the U.S. and half of all basic research.Many researchers, therefore, spend a significant portion of their time working for the public.As public servants and also professionals, researchers have clear obligations to conduct their research in a responsible manner.In general terms, responsible conduct in research is simply good citizenship applied to professional life.Researchers who report their work honestly, accurately, efficiently, and objectively are on the right road when it comes to responsible conduct.Anyone who is dishonest, knowingly reports inaccurate results, wastes funds, or allows personal bias to influence scientific findings is not.However, the specifics of good citizenship in research can be a challenge to understand and put into practice.Research is not an organized profession in the same way as law or medicine.Researchers learn best practices in a number of ways and in different settings.The norms for responsible conduct can vary from field to field.Add to this the growing body of local, state, and Federal regulations and you have a situation that can test the professional savvy of any researcher.In general terms, responsible conduct in research is simply good citizenship applied to professional life.