Part I. Shared Values
ORI Introduction to RCR
There is no one best way to undertake research, no universal method that applies to all scientific investigations. Accepted practices for the responsible conduct of research can and do vary from discipline to discipline and even from laboratory to laboratory. There are, however, some important shared values for the responsible conduct of research that bind all researchers together, such as:
- HONESTY — conveying information truthfully and honoring commitments,
- ACCURACY— reporting findings precisely and taking care to avoid errors,
- EFFICIENCY— using resources wisely and avoiding waste, and
- OBJECTIVITY— letting the facts speak for themselves and avoiding improper bias.
At the very least, responsible research is research that is built on a commitment to these and other important values that define what is meant by integrity in research.
The opening chapters of the ORI Introduction to RCR provide a framework for thinking about basic values in the context of the day-to-day practice of research.
Chapter 1, Rules of the Road, presents a brief overview of the different ways research responsibilities are defined, ranging from formal regulations to informal codes andcommon practices.
Chapter 2, Research Misconduct, describes research practices that must be avoided and the obligation researchers have to report misconduct.
