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SciPoll 598: Recent Study Finds: Researchers Overrate Their Ethical Practices
Have you experienced this first hand?
Results
(102 Answers)
Answer Explanations 34
Yes
user-229864
I've seen researchers jugding the moral and ethical conducts of others, even when good clinical practices are being followed. Some of these researchers have sent letters to different journals complaing about misconduct only as the result of their inflated self-rigthous believes.
No
user-996002
As a professional in the academic field, I have indeed observed instances of researchers and research groups overrating their ethical practices. This phenomenon can occur due to a variety of factors, including personal biases, institutional culture, and the desire to maintain a positive reputation. It is not uncommon for individuals to view themselves or their own research group in a more favorable light, especially when they are personally invested in their work. In my experience, researchers may believe that their ethical practices are superior due to their familiarity with their own processes and intentions. This sense of familiarity can lead to a biased perception of their actions, potentially causing them to overlook certain ethical considerations or shortcomings. Additionally, the pressure to produce impactful research and secure funding can create a mindset focused more on achieving results than on critically evaluating ethical practices. Furthermore, research groups may collectively adopt a mindset of ethical superiority as a means of upholding their professional image and maintaining the trust of their peers and the public. This can inadvertently lead to a tendency to overlook or downplay ethical lapses within the group, as individuals may feel a strong sense of solidarity and loyalty to their colleagues. It is essential for researchers and research groups to remain vigilant and self-reflective when it comes to ethical practices. Open dialogue, transparency, and a willingness to accept constructive criticism are crucial for fostering an environment of genuine ethical awareness and accountability. By acknowledging the potential for overrating ethical practices and actively seeking feedback and evaluation, researchers can strive towards upholding the highest standards of integrity in their work.
No
user-229712
I have not seen any examples in this regard.
Yes
user-324141
I work in the aging research field, and our collective perception of ethical high ground in our work is heightened precisely because of the research's implications based on the premise that our research will benefit society in the short and long run.
Yes
user-828172
Many times. Hubris would not exist if it not for this type of human behavior. Self-assessment carries risks that impact directly on probity.
Yes
user-598523
In my opinion, it is human and inherent in the psyche of people to place themselves in the most desired place and "give" themselves an advantage, even if unintentionally.
Yes
user-581850
Many professors think that they have a very good behaviour regarding mentoring students but also regarding scientific research practices (when it is not like that) and they critize others
Yes
user-158216
It is common in academic culture to overrate the prestige and morals of their own institution.
Yes
user-940435
This is quite common in my field
Yes
user-670622
We had some questionable analyses become public in my Biostats department at KI, and instead of aknowledging the short-comings, everyone seemed to blindly defend the analyses. They never should have become public as they weren't intended for dissemibation, but when they do, the ethically right thing is to aknowledge the short-comings.
Yes
user-26379
Experiencing individuals perceiving themselves or their group in a more favorable light is not uncommon in academic and professional settings. This phenomenon, as highlighted in the Linköping University study, reflects a cognitive bias known as bounded ethicality. People tend to overestimate their adherence to ethical standards and view their ethical practices as superior to those of others. I have observed instances where researchers, including myself, may exhibit this bias, often unintentionally, contributing to a collective overestimation of ethical behavior within the academic community.
Yes
user-524481
Some people are quite optimistic
Yes
user-9932
It is common to observe colleagues who state something different than what happens in their laboratories.
Yes
user-919443
I think this is incredibly common in academia (and in general) a people tend to view themselves as superior to others; having a humble, empathetic, grateful world view is the exception rather than the norm. . .
Yes
user-540634
When writing a scientific paper, some colleagues take too much from other authors'paper, but never consider it plagiarism
Yes
user-508906
The correct procedures are followed by the most researchers.
Specifically leaders that are not in touch with the work details tend to communicate a "perfect" work level.
Active abuse of rules is rare but I experienced examples.
The most frequent abuse comes from inexperienced/not well trained peoples.
Specifically leaders that are not in touch with the work details tend to communicate a "perfect" work level.
Active abuse of rules is rare but I experienced examples.
The most frequent abuse comes from inexperienced/not well trained peoples.
Yes
user-676638
People talk too much in public platform about good scienctific practice, good lab practice, biosafety, ethics, etc.; However when it comes to implementation of these concepts in one's own lab, most people take the route of convenience. Latter is preferred over discipline. Administrators (Director/ Dean/ Management) tend to ignore such wrong practices for the sake of avoiding controversy. If anybody blows whistle against wrong practices, he/she is almost guaranteed to be isolated.
Yes
user-548892
One of the old lecturers also wants everyone to recognize that his idea is better than anyone else's. In order words, he should always be the best.
Yes
user-169864
It is a common practice. Reviewers of paper ask to add self citations all the time (although difficult to prove and in few occasions justified).
Yes
user-24343
The person likes to highlight their achievement and praise themselves in front of people
Yes
user-969170
Physicians and psychologists
Yes
user-573537
It´s indeed a very common occurrence, while at the same time this behavior is accompanied by a sense of self superiority, as well as a tendency to overrate other´s perceived or real defects. Perhaps it´s deeply en-rooted in human nature.
No
user-49719
I have been reviewing grant proposals to the NIH and the VA for 12 years. I have encountered almost no instances of ethical concerns. I have also serve in a VA IACUC (committee for the use of animals in research). I have seen no cases of animal abuse.
Yes
user-399994
I have met colleagues who believe that everything they do is done in accordance with the ethics of scientific research, except that sometimes they do not respect the standards of these ethics, not voluntarily but often lacking of knowledge in certain fields such as law. Sometimes people are selfish and judge things too subjectively and don't want to go into details about the laws that can make them wrong.
Yes
user-380025
Yes, I have observed instances where individuals or groups view themselves in a more favorable light. For example, in academic or professional settings, some researchers or teams may perceive their work or methodologies as superior to others. This can manifest in various ways, such as researchers believing their research methods are more rigorous or their findings are more significant compared to others in the field. Similarly, within organizations, team members may view their team as more effective or efficient than other teams within the same organization.
Yes
user-477679
I have taught medical ethics and assessment to both medical students and physicians. They “know” part of their job is to observe their own work and that of their colleagues. Often, they still assumed their work remained “invisible,” and was as good or better than that of their colleagues.
Yes
user-935064
This is human nature and not limited to scientists. It is a rare person who is able to suppress their biases, most of which they are unaware that they have. This is especially evident in situations that involve characterizing risks (for example pesticide use) and economic benefits for some (for example, proponents and their consultants).
Yes
user-414626
I have seen bias at the editorial level when there is favouritism to papers from the country of the editor. I have not observed the opposite.
Yes
user-208008
Many researchers create consent forms they know the participants can't understand, just to satisfy the IRB. In reality, participants' understanding would take too long so they are glossed over.
Yes
user-50480
As an editor and associate editor I have seen numerous examples of authors ignoring previous work to place their publications in the forefront.
Yes
user-156962
This is something that I have frequently observed in discussing science with colleagues. If aspects are then addressed people tend to become quite defensive. But then I am probably equally guilty as others.
Yes
user-830315
most research group tend to overestimate their importance and their know-how in the medical research field
Yes
user-610902
I have seen researchers interpret their research practices in a most favorable light that could only be accepted by squinting very hard. For example, researchers who are determined to show a particular outcome because that outcome is for the "social good"
Yes
user-125695
I have seen men think they are superior to women
user-641374
04/04/2024 17:14