Honesty and integrity in research
Introduction
Ethics is a set of rules that govern our behavior and how we expect others to act. While there exists a broad agreement of the ethical values, there is a vast difference in the interpretation of how these values should be put into practice (Lewis and Graham, 2007). Research ethics govern how scientific research is performed and disseminated in research institutions such as universities, colleges, among other places (Gheondea-Eladi, 2017). Honesty and integrity is a fundamental ethical value since it entails demonstrating that the methods, data, and research design have been reasonably and truthfully stated to avoid misleading the readers.
Steps to Address the Issue
One of the steps that I will take to address the issue is first to empower my colleague on the need to uphold honesty and integrity while undertaking an evidence-based practice (EBP). I will inform him that it is a mistake to make up data, not citing the research correctly, unreasonably extrapolating results, among unethical practices. The essence of research is to form a body of knowledge that can be used as a guide to better nursing practices (Gheondea-Eladi, 2017). As such, when we lie or joke during the exercise, there is a likelihood of misleading people.
The next step that I will take to address the issue is to assist my colleague is making corrections on his or her research project. Some of the challenges that could have forced him or her not to cite his or her research project could either be ignorance or laziness. I will ensure that I adequately train and assist him or her on how to cite the research project properly. After that, I will commit to check on his or her future research projects to establish whether he or she adhered to the rules.
References
Gheondea-Eladi, A. (2017). Health Research Ethics: Between Ethics Codes and Culture. Journal of Empirical Research on Human Research Ethics, 12(4), 246-260. doi: 10.1177/1556264617717162
Lewis, J., & Graham, J. (2007). Research Participants’ Views on Ethics in Social Research: Issues for Research Ethics Committees. Research Ethics, 3(3), 73-79. doi: 10.1177/174701610700300303