Perceptions of Ethical and Unethical Behavior in Recreation Research

Abstract

This research explored selected ethical issues related to research and publication within the Recreation and Leisure Service profession as perceived by journal editors and reviewers. A convenience sample of 40 journal editors and reviewers completed a 31-item survey assessing 21 scenarios addressing ethical issues in research and publishing. Respondents were requested to indicate if the scenario represented: (a) ethical practice, (b) questionable practice, (c) unethical practice, or (d) whether a scenario was not an ethical issue. Of the 21 scenarios analyzed, two were considered ethical, six unethical, and one not an ethical issue by a majority of respondents. Analysis of the ethical status of the remaining 13 scenarios indicated slight to considerable perceptual differences among the sample. Demographic data indicated that a majority of respondents held a professional position as an academician, and that a plethora served in an editorial capacity for a professional journal for a minimum of 10 years, been forced to question unethical research or publication practice, and sought advice on whether an action/issue was ethical or unethical.