Situation
Don Cain, a graduate student funded under Professor Nick Manson’s research grant, discovers a methodologically trail in a data base leading back to duplication of field surveys which it is difficult to believe occurred accidentally. After questioning fellow students, Cain is persuaded that this is “common” and as a “student assistant” there are very big risks and no gains to raise the question of possible “fabrications” in the data.
Questions
- Is the ethical question here, whether the obvious duplication is an accident or intentional? Or is the question what behavior principal should be addressed by the young researcher?
- Can it make a difference in the responsibility of the researcher in reporting the problem, if the data is accidentally duplicated or deliberately constructed? Known and ignored, if accidental by the responsible senior scientist? Known only by other researchers and not the responsible senior scientist?
Discussion
In the case where there is reason to believe there are ethical violations committed by another sociologist, attempts should be made to resolve the issue by first bringing it to the attention of the individual informally. In the case presented, however, the subordinate position of the individual who has observed the violation may pose additional problems. Advice should be sought as to how to proceed, or if necessary, to external review boards of the ASA Committee on Professional Ethics.
