Farhana Nusrat

January 23, 2017

INT 601 HW#1

A-1 How is integrity in research monitored? Is self-regulation of integrity in research effective?

Usually Integrity is monitored by other researchers who work closely with the experiment. In
most cases, a team of researchers replicate parts of the experiment to assure the integrity of the
experiment. These researchers are expected to report any kind of misconduct (eg. Fabrication or
falsification) found in the experiment to the authority. But if in any experiment only one
researcher works, in that case that individual researcher will be responsible for assuring the
integrity of the experiment. I believe to make this system work properly, relevant guidelines and
a strict process of enforcing necessary rules are important. Otherwise the self-regulation of
integrity in research will not be effective.

A-2 Are the insights of individual researchers or the sifting and winnowing insights of groups
of researchers more critical in advancing physical, biological and social science?
In my opinion, insights from a group of researchers are always better than any individual
researchers opinion in at advancing physical, biological and social science. My reasoning
behind this understanding is that an individual researchers insights are more likely to be biased
by any preconceived notion. But when a group of researchers reach a conclusion about
something, they are less likely to have any biased opinion. Moreover, the insights of a group will
always be more thoughtful and practical. This is why most of the scientific journals use peer
review eliminate any individual bias. In addition to my previous points, a group mentality also
works best while addressing large complex problems in an unbiased, more reliable manner, while
for an individual researcher it is really difficult to be completely unbiased and to attain flawless
results.

Farhana Nusrat
January 23, 2017

A-3 Should other practices besides fabrication, falsification and plagiarism be considered
misconduct in research?
I believe there are several other practices beyond fabrication, falsification and plagiarism which
can be considered misconduct. An example can be forcing or threatening another researcher to
use their work or data without their will. Sexual harassment can be a part of this. Another
example can be using an unusual method to conduct an experiment to attain a particular result of
the experiment. If a researcher avoids using conventional methods and apply another method
which is typically not used in his/her field just to get the results s/he desires (which cannot be
attained by using usual methods) can be another form of misconduct in research as well.

A-4 Outline the major steps that an allegation of scientific misconduct should go through when
reported on the University of Maine campus.
If there is an allegation of scientific misconduct, at first the complaint will be reported to the
Misconduct Policy Officer. In the second step, the officer will review the complaint and discuss
the allegation with all relevant parties involved in the experiment. Then a three-member review
panel will be formed to inquire the situation where the members will be unbiased and with
knowledge and experience of working in the similar field. After the review panel analyze the
alleged misconduct, they will reach a conclusion to decide if the misconduct really occurred.
Finally, if the alleged misconduct is accepted to be true by the panel, the panel members will
forward their decision to the Misconduct Policy Officer who later will notify the respondent.
After the respondent is accused to be guilty, s/he will have a short time to appeal this case.
A-5 Which question or issue related to the readings would you most like to raise and discuss with
the rest of the class?
I would be most willing to discuss question (A-3). I am really interested to know the views of
other students in the class. I believe it will be a very interesting discussion to know the different
understanding of different persons about other types of practices which can be labeled as
misconduct in research in their eyes.

Farhana Nusrat
January 23, 2017