Integrity and Ethics in Scientific Research: What's the Problem?

Abstract

It discusses what constitutes the problem of Integrity and Ethics in Scientific Research worldwide and, in particular, what challenge it poses to FUNDECIT in Angola, based on its Statute, literature and press reports. Research produces scientific knowledge which, ever since, and even more so in the modern information/global knowledge society, is the basis of the economy and development. Good practices in the application of the scientific method, integrity, ethics and deontology make it possible to permanently obtain reliable and relevant knowledge. Bad practices, on the other hand, corrupt the system by introducing potentially wrong knowledge, waste resources, and create unfair competition. Thus, all actors in science (researchers, research groups, research and development institutions, funding agencies and global organizations) must promote training and education, policies and practices that are honest and pro-ethical. FUNDECIT's Statute advocates “respecting ethical standards, with a view to protecting and ensuring integrity” and promoting training in project management. Although medicine, bioethics, the environment, and other areas have their specificities, no investigation dispenses with integrity and ethics. The Creating a Culture of Publication Integrity Together (https://publicationethics.org/) and Plagiarism (https://plagiarism.org/), the Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing, and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals websites (https://www.icmje.org/icmje -recommendations.pdf), and the BMJ Scientific Misconduct (https://www.bmj.com/abou0tbmj/ resourcesauthors/formspoliciesandchecklists/scientificmisconduct) deal with this matter. The challenge publish or perish cannot be done at the expense of integrity, ethics and truth. As Mia Couto says, “you have to show that it pays to be honest” (https://www.geledes.org.br/discurso-proferido-por-mia-couto-ao-receber-o-titulo-doutor-honoriscausa-pela-universidade-politecnica-de-maputo/).