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on Nov 01    |     12 min read

Unethical Research Practices to Avoid: Examples & Detection

By Formplus Blog on Nov 01 | 12 min read

Almost every aspect of human life is guided by guidelines, rules, and regulations. That is
why, from time immemorial, there have been set ethics and rules that serve as a guide and
moderator in human activities.

Without these recognized ethics, everyone will approach issues in ways they deem
appropriate. This applies to the research and research community.

Research guidelines provide information about accepted research ethics to the research
community and the researchers. These guidelines provide ethics, advice, and guidance. They
help researchers develop ethical discretion and also to prevent the researchers from
committing scientific misconduct, and promote good scientific practice. 

We are going to discuss research ethics, what they mean, how they are adopted, how
important they are, and how they affect research and research institutions.

What are Research Ethics?

Ethics are a set of rules, which can be broadly written and unwritten. They govern a human's
behavioral expectations and that of others.

While society broadly agrees on some ethical values such as murder is terrible and
disallowed, a wide variation also exists on how we can interpret these set values in practice.

Now research ethics refers to the values and the norms an institution has put in place to help
regulate scientific activities. It is a collection of scientific morals in the line of duty. This
guideline specifies the traits or behaviors that are recognized by the research community
based on the general ethics of science and society at large.

Research guidelines are binding on both the researcher and the institution. This is because
there are responsibilities to be carried out by both the researcher and the institution to ensure
that their research is reliable. However, it is important that the institutions are clear on the
research ethics roles and responsibilities at every point. Part of the duties of the institution is
to have good administrational management and funding that would allow researchers to
comply with designed ethical guidelines and norms.

Read: Research Bias: Definition, Types + Examples

The guidelines primarily cover research and other research-related activities, which include
teaching, dissemination of research information, and also the management of institutions.
Research ethical guidelines are also used as tools in the assessment of an individual case in
the planning of research and even when reporting or publishing the outcomes and findings of
that study.

The research ethics guideline covers the projects of students at all levels, and that of the
doctoral research fellows. It is also the responsibility of the institution to provide relevant
training regarding research ethics to the students and doctoral research Fellows. This is
because the research norms and guidelines apply to all researches regardless of whether they
are commissioned research, applied research, or basic research.

Research conducted by the public, or private institutions is also subjected to these guidelines
and ethics. Consulting firms that perform research-related tasks, such as systematic
acquisition and information processing about individuals, groups, and organizations, are also
not excluded.

Read: Consent Letter: Writing Guide, Types, [+12 Consent Samples]

There are guidelines regulating research at different levels based on recognized norms for
research ethics. We are going to look at these research norms below.

 There are norms for good scientific practice. They relate to finding accuracy and
relevant knowledge in research. These norms are Originality, trustworthiness,
academic freedom, and openness.
 There are norms for the research communities. They guide the relationship between
the people that partake together in research. These norms are respect, accountability,
confidentiality, integrity, impartiality, constructive criticism, informed and free
consent, and human dignity.
 There are norms that guide the researchers’ relationship with the rest of society. These
norms are social responsibility, dissemination of research, and independence.

The first two groups listed above are internal ethical norms. They relate to regulating the
research communities, while the other relates to the relationship that exists between the
research and the outside world or the society. Many times, the lines between these norms get
blurred.

Research ethics are the standard ethics set by the supervising institution or bodies to govern
how scientific research and other types of research are conducted in various research
institutions such as the universities, and also moderate how they are interpreted.

Read: Sampling Bias: Definition, Types + [Examples]

Why is Research Ethics Important?

The aim of research ethics is to guide researchers to conduct their studies and report their
findings without deception or intent to directly or indirectly cause harm to their subjects or
any member of society, as the case may be.

Also, research ethics establish the validity of a researcher's study or research. It establishes
that the research is authentic and error/bias-free. This will give the researcher credibility
within the institution and in the public.

Research ethics also ensure the safety of research or study subjects and the researcher. This is
because it is a must that all researchers follow these guidelines.

Another importance of research ethics is that it shows that your research publications are not
plagiarized, and your readers are not reading unverified data. This is achieved through the
research manuscript. Your research findings must adhere to the set guidelines.

The last point to consider is that research ethics provide the researcher with a sense of
responsibility. This makes it easy to find appropriate solutions in the case of any misconduct.

Read: Systematic Errors in Research: Definition, Examples

Examples of Unethical Research Practices

Here's a list of unethical practices every researcher must avoid

1. Duplicate publication

It is unethical for a researcher to submit a research paper or publication that has two or more
seminal journals which could be with or without acknowledgment of these other journals.
This practice is known as duplicate submission or duplicate publication. 

Some authors practice duplication of publication so as to increase their numbers of

submissions; however, it is unethical and it also amounts to the wasting of time of the
publication resources and the journal reviewers why it also serves no benefits today to the
scientific community and humanity at large.

You can only submit your research paper to just one journal.

2. Research data falsification

the falsification or fabrication of research data occurs when a researcher tries to manipulate
the procedures used in conducting research or the important findings just to have the
researcher's desired result.

Recording non-existent data or falsifying a data recording is known as research fabrication.

Research data fabrication is common in the pharmaceutical industry. They do this fabrication
2 market a specific drug today to the general public without considering the drug's side
effects. This act is unethical and it is also a wastage of the limited resources available for
research.

This can result in revoking the physician's clinical license, the prosecution of the physician,
and also create huge mistrust in the mind of the public.

3. Plagiarism

Plagiarism is a huge offense in the research community. It is the practice of taking another
person's research or work or even idea and inculcating it in your own writing without giving
them the dual credit. In some cases, just for recognition, the researcher can even use another
person's research as their own publication journal.

In other cases, the researcher may change the letters of someone else's publication to their
own words without referencing the original author. This is known as self-plagiarism. 

With technology, there are more tools to detect plagiarism. This means it is now very easy for
journal editors to detect plagiarism.  Plagiarism may not be intentional sometimes, it may just
happen accidentally. However, you can avoid it by referencing all the sources you used in
writing your own scientific journal.

Ensure that all the authors whose work you have used are properly cited in your paper,
regardless of if they're from previous publications.

4. Authorship Conflict

ICMJE (The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors) guidelines provided that
anyone who has contributed to the conception, the designing of research data, contributed to
the data analysis, helped to draft or revise the journal and seek approval before the journal is
published has an authorship claim to the journal.

Now an authorship conflict can arise if the name of a person who has contributed to the
journal in any form is not included in the publication.

If one of the persons whose name was cited in the journal does not give consent or agree to
its publication. That is an authorship conflict and it is unethical.

If the name of one additional author is cited while the name of an already cited author is
removed, whether before publication or after publication, it is an authorship conflict.

Another cause of authorship conflict is citing a person's name based on "senior in practice" or
family affiliation when the said person has contributed nothing to the research and the
documentation of the research findings.

Authorship conflict can be avoided before conducting the research by selecting the authors in
the beginning and also by the journals asking the authors to submit a checklist that contains
the criteria for authorship.

5. Conflict of interest
Conflict of interest arises in research when the author or the researcher gets influenced by
financial reasons or personal issues that ultimately affect the quality of the outcome of the
study.

When these conflicts of interest arise, which could be personal conditions and financial
consideration or other types of conflicts, the researcher should truthfully disclose the current
situation to the editorial team, and do so completely without leaving out a detail.

Read: Undercoverage Bias: Definition, Examples in Survey Research

Research ethical guidelines are designed to guide researchers in research conduct and
publications. 

This is why all researchers should develop habits of self-consciousness, self-restraint, and self
of responsibility. This will enable them to take importance to the welfare of the members of
the research community, the public, and their own reputation. Bearing all this in mind what
wood prevents them from partaking in any misconduct in their research and publication.

Implications and Consequences of Unethical Research

Practices
A researcher's ethical obligations are to be taken seriously because they are truly no laughing
matter. Here are the things at stake if violated.

 A researcher risks an unapproved study or publication if the research proposal

submitted to the supervising institution does not meet the research ethical
requirements. This implies that the researcher will not be allowed to proceed with the
research until the ethical conditions have been met according to the standard by the
supervising institution.
 If you have gotten a go-ahead for your study or research, failure to comply with the
guidelines can result in your research being declared void and retracted. This means
that you have to follow every step throughout the research else you can face
disciplinary actions.
 If your research publication is connected to your doctorate degree, your doctorate title
might be revoked. If the nature of your ethics breach is criminal, then the supervising
institution can take legal action against the researcher. This may lead to prison
sentences for the researcher.
 Also, an unethical omission can cause the characteristics of the researcher to be
questioned in terms of reliability, and also, the validity of the test will be questioned.
 Unethical conduct in research can put in bad media coverage and damage the
reputation of you and your research institution.

Researchers should remember the consequence of unethical conduct is humiliation. Aside

from the loss of reputation, there could be legal consequences. That is why researchers should
not take shortcuts when conducting their research.

Retraction watch is a website where retracted researchers are publicized and no researcher
would want to be featured on this website for unethical conduct.
Read: Type I vs Type II Errors: Causes, Examples & Prevention

How to Detect Unethical Research Practices

Here are some tools and mechanisms you can use to prevent and detect unethical practices. 

1. Management responsibility

In its day-to-day dealings, the management must maintain the highest standards of integrity.
This is because if senior management is dishonest and corrupt, they will spread dishonest and
fraudulent acts to all levels. It is their responsibility to be the highest standards when it comes
to integrity.

The management is to serve as an example for all in the research organization to follow by
pointing out correct and acceptable behavior to the staff. To ensure maximum security, they
must make sure that the organization has all the procedures and control measures in place to
ensure maximum security. 

2. Code of ethics

There must be a setup code of ethics for all employees to follow in every establishment. This
should be a formal statement containing ethical codes of conduct for the organization's
employees to follow. The Code of Ethics should unambiguously state the type of behavior
expected from the employees, and what is unacceptable.

3. Personnel policies and procedures

If policies and procedures are open and fair, and also efficient personnel is in an organization,
the organization's exposure to fraud will be minimal. Organizations should consider putting
effective policies in place. 

Ethical Principles in Research

Respect for Individuals

1. Researchers must base their study on the fundamental respect for human dignity.
2. The research must respect their privacy. The autonomy and integrity of the individual
must be protected.
3. It must perform its duty to inform participants of what they're being given. They must
be provided with adequate information about the research and the purpose of the
research.
4. It must derive consent to notify. The participants must willingly grant consent before
the research can proceed.
 5. It must also practice confidentiality. All personal data must be handled with utmost
care and confidentiality.
6. There must also be a responsibility to protect children and not cause others harm.

Respect for Institutions

1. The research must be in accordance with the rules of the public administration.
2. There must be adequate respect given to private establishments that do not want to
give out their data or information.
3. The interest of the vulnerable groups must be protected at all times.
4. Research should be carried out on other cultures appropriately. And these cultures
must be respected.
5. Cultural monuments such as archives, artifacts, and texts must be treated with
maximum care and preserved.

Explore:  21 Chrome Extensions for Academic Researchers in 2021

Formplus Features for Ethical Research

If you want to conduct a survey or make use of questionnaires in your research, the best
website to use is Formplus. 

Formplus has all you need to develop your form, administer your form, gather the data from
your survey or questionnaire, and interpret it.

Formplus also has in place all the requirements a researcher needs to follow ethical
guidelines. Your forms are secured, private, and protected.

 GDPR-Compliant

The GDPR-compliant consent form helps you to maintain the European Union's data privacy
laws. You can collect personal information such as names, emails, phone numbers, and
addresses using the GDPR compliant form builder on Formplus.

 Privacy Policy and Security

The privacy protection policy of Formplus is so transparent that it will tell you what the data
collected from you will be used for, and who it is shared with. Also, your data is so secure
that not even Formplus can access it without your permission.

Security is also 100% guaranteed. Formplus takes extra steps to ensure the privacy of its
users is protected. Formplus website complies with all international laws and requirements
you can think of. All your sensitive information is protected online and offline. 

Conclusion

Rules and guidelines are important. Not only because they give you instructions on how to
carry out a procedure in research, but also because they make you responsible and respectable
humans in society.
There are set ethical guidelines that protect the researcher, the research community, and the
general public. It is in a researcher's best interest to follow these laid down rules because the
consequences are a long-lasting dent to whoever is involved and that might even be the end
of their career.