Ethics and Research

The knowledge base in educational psychology has been developed by individuals who have conducted research to uncover truths about the affective, cognitive, and behavioral attributes of learners. The growth of any discipline is dependent upon the worthiness of the research that it produces. Research is defined as systematic investigation, including research development, testing, and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge. Effective research must meet the criteria of being relevant and ethically produced. When research does not live up to the standards of defined practice, research misconduct inquiries and investigations are used by institutions to identify the objectionable practice and to remediate the affects.

Research ethics is a broad term that is used to describe adherence to the shared values of efficiency, truthfulness, accuracy, and objectivity. Ethical research must use resources wisely and convey information truthfully by carefully reporting results in a truthful manner without bias. A more narrowly focused term—responsible conduct of research—relates to more definable practices that prescribe the research behavior required of investigators.

Responsible conduct of research must take into consideration the following eight elements:

• 1.
  Data acquisition and management
• 2.
  Mentor–trainee relationships
• 3.
  Publication practices and authorship
• 4.
  Peer review practices
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• 5.
  Collaborative research activities
• 6.
  Protection of human subjects
• 7.
  Research involving animals
• 8.
  Management of conflict of interest and commitment

More specifically, responsible conduct of research refers to meeting the requirements relating to those concepts mandated by Congress and the regulations promulgated by federal agencies. However, the broader view of research ethics goes beyond what is required and relates to what should be done regarding moral dilemmas that surround how to make the best research decision.

The federal regulations relating to responsible conduct of research stem from three acts passed by Congress: the 1966 Animal Welfare Act (Public Law [P.L.] 89–544), the 1974 National Research Act (P.L. 93–348), and the 1985 Health Research Extension Act (P.L. 99–158). The 1985 Health Research Extension Act resulted, in 1989, in the establishment of the Office of Scientific Integrity (OSI) and the Office of Scientific Integrity Review (OSIR). In 1992 the Office of Research Integrity (ORI) was established and took over the activities of the former two offices, including the monitoring of research misconduct.

In addition to the regulations developed from these acts, the executive branch agencies of the government have developed guidelines and policies that represent requirements relating to their normal operation. For example, the National Institutes of Health has issued policies for grant awards, and the ORI has issued a Model Policy and Procedures for Responding to Allegations of Scientific Misconduct.

Beyond the federal policies are disciplinary codes of ethics and institutional policies. Most disciplines have outlined principles and, in some cases, appropriate practices that relate to the ethical practice of research. Universities and other institutions must also have research policies if they are to receive federal funds. Again, these policies may go beyond the recommendations of the federal guidelines. Many of these policies amplify and implement the federal guidelines that make up the various elements of responsible conduct of research.