The last 50 years has seen many significant advances in a broad diversity of scientific fields. These changes continue today at an even faster rate. Collaborative teams involving many highly specialized researchers are more common now than individual researchers with broad training. We have access to data from multiple sources including web-based distributed databases, sophisticated instruments that automate many analyses and computers that permit rapid calculations that combine to increase research capabilities. At the same time, competition to achieve precedence in a research field has intensified. Over this period of dramatic change, the scrutiny of science and scientists has increased, leading to high profile examples of misconduct in several fields.
In this seminar we explore the “rules of the road” for being a
scientist today. Using a case study
approach, the seminar will cover concepts of how science is regulated, what
constitutes misconduct, how research is planned, conducted and reported,
authorship and data ownership, as well as the ethical treatment of human and
animal subjects. The seminar will focus
particularly on mentor and trainee interactions.
- Course creator: Thomas Miller
- Teacher: Russell Hill
- Teacher: Cindy Palinkas