Research Integrity and Responsible Conduct of Research

Abstract

Research Integrity and Responsible Conduct of Research is designed to assist social work researchers and other social scientists as they consider what it means to uphold the highest ethical standards in their research. As the social work profession increasingly emphasizes scholarship and research, the education and training of faculty and students in the responsible conduct of research (RCR) becomes imperative. Research Integrity and Responsible Conduct of Research supports this imperative by providing practical considerations, recommendations and tools in the ethical and responsible practice of social work research. The topics in the book cover what have been identified by the U.S. Office of Research Integrity as the core instructional areas central to RCR. These core areas include: data acquisition, management, sharing and ownership; conflict of interest and commitment; subjects’ protection; research misconduct; publication practices and responsible authorship; mentor and mentee responsibilities; peer review; and collaborative science. A key feature of the book is its attention to identifying specific issues within each of the core areas that are particularly relevant for social work and social science researchers. For example, the chapter on collaborative science discusses issues related to community-based research, and the chapter on subjects’ protection discusses common IRB issues with social behavioral protocols such as doing research “on” students. Case studies designed to enhance critical thinking skills related to handling ethical dilemmas confronted by social scientists in the practice of research are also included. Drawing on research, curriculum models and identified best practices that have been primarily developed for biomedical researchers, the book presents practical strategies for educating and promoting RCR among social scientists.