Sample Excerpt: Objectivity




Sample Paper Excerpt
A senior researcher with an established reputation in a specialized field is routinely sought after by funding agencies and editorial boards to review proposals and submitted articles. Her current level of demand contrasts sharply with her early professional experience following completion of her doctorate, when the researcher's quest for a research position took almost 1 ½ years. She holds a personal bias against several institutions that chose not to hire her following completion of her doctorate. The researcher has agreed to review a number of proposals for a research funding agency. As she begins reviewing her first proposal, she recognizes that the principal investigator is affiliated with one of the institutions she holds a personal bias against. There is a question as to whether her bias against the institution may also extend to researchers affiliated with this institution.

How should the researcher proceed?
Engage in a self-reflection regarding her ability to impartially review this proposal. Decide to review the proposal without any self-reflection. Decide to recuse herself from reviewing this proposal without any self-reflection. After engaging in self-reflection, decide that her bias impacts objectivity and ask to recuse herself from reviewing the proposal.

Proceed to the


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