Ethical Principles (The Most Important Rules):
- Integrity and Honesty: Never falsify,
fabricate, or plagiarize data. Negative or unexpected
results must be reported just as positive ones are.
- Objectivity: Avoid bias. Research
design, data analysis, and interpretation must be fair.
- Responsibility: Take responsibility
for one's own research, its methods, and its consequences.
This includes careful handling of samples, data, and equipment.
- Respect for Intellectual Property:
Always cite the work of others correctly. Respect patents,
copyrights, and other forms of intellectual property.
- Confidentiality: Protect confidential
information (e.g., from peer reviews or business
agreements).
- Responsibility Towards Research Subjects/Patients:
When conducting research involving
humans or animals, the highest ethical standards must be upheld (informed consent, animal
welfare, data protection).
- Social Responsibility: The well-being
of society and the avoidance of harm should be
considered in research.
Practical & Professional Rules:
- Diligence and Accuracy: Work thoroughly
and minimize errors. Maintain orderly and traceable
records.
- Openness: Share research results
with the scientific community through publications,
conferences, etc., and be open to constructive feedback.
- Mentoring & Cooperation: Support
and promote younger researchers fairly. Collaborate
respectfully and reliably in partnerships.
- Compliance: Adhere to applicable
laws, guidelines, and institutional regulations (e.g., regarding
biosafety, radiation protection, data protection such as GDPR).
- Continuing Education: Continuously
stay informed about new methods and findings in one's
own field.
These rules form the backbone of responsible scientific practice and are crucial for
maintaining
public trust in science. Many institutions and professional societies have detailed codes of conduct
based on these principles.
