Ethics Concerns Draw Many Questions, Some Answers

Abstract

Whitbeck replies: I am glad to see that Physics Today readers are interested in a wide range of topics concerning the responsible conduct of research.Leonard Finegold recommends a clearing-house for inquiries about responsible research conduct. The Online Ethics Center for Engineering and Science Ethics Help-line, cosponsored by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and the National Institute for Engineering Ethics, offers such a service. The help-line receives and answers inquiries about how best to respond to ethical problems that commonly arise in research or in engineering practice.The help-line member in charge at any given time (usually me) decides whether an inquiry is an appropriate ethical question rather than, say, an advertisement or a request for homework help. That person removes any specific identifiers and sends the inquiry to the rest of the team. When a topic seems to require familiarity with a particular setting or situation, the help-line person may consult someone with the relevant experience or may send questions of clarification back to the inquirer. After the team discussion, the member distills an answer from the discussion, which may be a consensus viewpoint, two or more disparate views, or something in between.We do not use an e-mail list, because we find that a Web form is easier for users. We give inquirers latitude to describe their situation in whatever detail and specificity they think necessary. Occasionally, they turn out not to be looking for help thinking through a particular situation, which is the service we offer. Instead, they want us to issue a judgment against someone. I explain that we have no resources to do investigations, so we cannot issue judgments.I think we have provided a useful service not only to young investigators and engineers, but to some senior people in well-known research facilities. Our deliberations and advice are not open to public view, although we could offer a more public discussion of typical situations if there is interest.In my article, I described a discussion method that serves two purposes. It can stimulate the formulation of criteria for responsible conduct that are suited to the conditions of research in a particular area, and it can strengthen a department’s ability to communicate with and answer questions for trainees.The method, an inquiry submission form, and scenarios describing open-ended problem situations are available on our website, http://onlineethics.org/helpline. Although many advantages of the method can be realized only by having the discussions within departments, the Online Ethics Center could use the given scenarios, or others that users submit, to discuss a problem-of-the-month in an open, moderated Web forum.© 2005 American Institute of Physics.