Why Does Research Integrity Matter?

Trust & the Research Enterprise

The scientific research enterprise is built on a deep foundation of trust: "this trust will endure only if the scientific community devotes itself to exemplifying and transmitting the values associated with ethical scientific conduct"

- the Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy, The National Academies, (Committee on Science et al., 2009)

Failure to uphold research integrity undermines confidence and trust.

	Read President Obama's 2009 Memorandum on Scientific Integrity
	Watch " On Being a Scientist Video" from the National Academies
	Read Blog "Rock Talk - NIH and Research Misconduct"

Whether you are a researcher or a member of the public, research integrity affects you.

Here are some of the reasons:

Researchers rely on trustworthy results of other researchers to make scientific progress.
Researchers rely on public support, whether through public investments or their voluntary participation in experiments, to further science.
The public relies on scientific progress to better the lives of everyone.
The public could actually be harmed by researchers who are dishonest and act without regards to integrity.

Read these articles to savor how irresponsible conduct in research could affect the progress of research and hurt people in different ways:

"Fraud Case Seen as a Red Flag for Psychology Research" November 2, 2011 article in the New York Times
"How Bright Promise in Cancer Testing Fell Apart" July 8, 2011 article in the New York Times
"Falsified Data Found in Gene Studies" October 30, 1996 article in the New York Times