While writing and subsequently submitting a manuscript for publication in a journal, it is important to comply with all the requirements set out in the journal. However, the main condition for publication and indexing in international databases is compliance with the principles of scientific ethics.
Before you start writing a research paper, you should read the requirements set out on the website of the journal to which you plan to submit your material for publication. But absolutely all scientific publications and scientific databases are guided by the principles of scientific ethics. In case of non-compliance, the manuscript is denied further consideration and publication. What is scientific ethics? What are its main principles?
What is scientific ethics?
Scientific ethics are administrative rules that an author must follow when writing a scientific paper and conducting research. In addition to administrative rules, it is also a set of certain principles and behavioural norms that serve as a beacon for scientists, indicating how to conduct scientific research.
The main goal of scientific ethics is to guarantee the reliability and certainty of knowledge in the scientific field. In addition, one of the goals is to protect the environment, research participants, and society as a whole from dishonest authors and the results of their activities.
Basic principles of scientific ethics
The basic principles of scientific ethics include the following:
- Honesty
Scientists and researchers should strive for honesty in all aspects and at all stages of scientific research. The author must be absolutely honest about the data, results, methods and status of the publication. Inventing, falsifying and distorting data is strictly prohibited in the process of conducting research and submitting material for further publication. You should not mislead the public, possible sponsors, or your own colleagues.
- Objectivity
When conducting research for writing material for further publication, authors must adhere to the principle of objectivity. They should avoid bias and self-deception in assessing their own work. This includes data analysis and interpretation, expert testimony, personnel decisions and other aspects of work.
- Integrity
Authors must keep their promises and honour all agreements. They must also be sincere and consistent in their thoughts and actions.
- Competence
Maintaining and continuously improving professional competence and expertise through education and lifelong learning is essential for scientists and scholars.
- Openness
Authors need to be open-minded and open to criticism and new ideas. This also means sharing data, results, resources and tools used, ideas, etc.
- Transparency
In order to evaluate a study, it is also important to consider the context, the rationale for the choice of methods and their suitability for the objectives, as well as the findings and possible prospects for further research. Therefore, all of the above should be disclosed by the author.
- Non-discrimination
No discrimination among colleagues and students on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, or other factors unrelated to science is allowed during the research.
- Caution
When conducting research, it is important to avoid inattention and mistakes, and to carefully analyse both your own work and the work of your colleagues. Proper documentation of research activities, including data collection, research organisation and interaction with agencies or journals, should be maintained.
- Responsibility
The author must take responsibility for conducting or participating in the research. He/she should also be prepared to explain and/or justify what was done in the work, why and how it was done, etc.
- Intellectual property
In the process of conducting research, respect for the work of other researchers should be present. It is forbidden to use data that has not yet been published in the study. All materials used must be referenced to the original source. Scientific ethics prohibits plagiarism.
- Legality
When conducting research and writing a paper, you must be guided by and comply with legal regulations, as well as government and institutional policies.
- Confidentiality
Confidential data must be kept secure, including documents and grants intended for publication, personnel records, commercial and military secrets, and patient medical data (in appropriate research).
- Respect for colleagues
Show respect for your colleagues and treat them with consideration and fairness.
- Care of animals
You must show due respect and care for animals when using them in research. It is important to avoid unnecessary or poorly planned animal experiments.
- Protection of human subjects
When conducting research on human subjects, it is important to minimise possible harms and risks to participants and maximise the benefits. The dignity, privacy, and autonomy of human subjects must also be respected, and special measures must be taken to protect vulnerable groups. Adherence to the principle of equity in the distribution of benefits and burdens associated with research is also important.
It is essential for authors to comply with all principles of scientific ethics, as this is key to maintaining public and other researchers' trust, ensuring research integrity, protecting the rights and safety of research participants, preserving independence and objectivity, and promoting international cooperation and knowledge exchange.
Types of ethical violations
The types of violations of the principles of scientific ethics include the following:
- Theft of ideas
- Incorrect authorship
- Plagiarism and self-plagiarism
- Falsification and fabrication of data
- Recycling of the author's own work
- Violation of laws and requirements during the research
- Violation of generally accepted research practices
- Ignoring the problems
- Inappropriate behaviour of the author/authors
- Refusal of validation
The inconsistency of scientific research with ethical principles and their outright violation can have serious consequences for their authors. These consequences include loss of reputation and credibility, revocation of academic degrees and titles, difficulties in obtaining grants, difficulties with further publications, etc. Before starting research, it is important to familiarise yourself with all the principles of scientific ethics.
Scientific ethics is evolving. The development of new technologies and research methods leads to the emergence of new ethical issues. Therefore, it is important for scientists to constantly update their knowledge of ethical principles and comply with current standards by applying them in their activities.
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