Skip to main content
Log in

Challenges in studying the effects of scientific societies on research integrity

  • Published:
Science and Engineering Ethics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Beyond impressionistic observations, little is known about the role and influence of scientific societies on research conduct. Acknowledging that the influence of scientific societies is not easily disentangled from other factors that shape norms and practices, this article addresses how best to study the promotion of research integrity generally as well as the role and impact of scientific societies as part of that process. In setting forth the parameters of a research agenda, the article addresses four issues: (1) how to conceptualize research on scientific societies and research integrity; (2) challenges and complexities in undertaking basic research; (3) strategies for undertaking basic research that is attentive to individual, situational, organizational, and environmental levels of analysis; and (4) the need for evaluation research as integral to programmatic change and to assessment of the impact of activities by scientific societies.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Steneck, Nicholas H. (2000) Assessing the integrity of publicly funded research, in Steneck, N. & Scheetz, M. eds. Investigating research integrity: Proceedings of the first ORI research conference on research integrity November 2000. Office of Research Integrity, DHHS, Washington, DC: 1–16.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Office of Research Integrity (2001) Seven studies funded by research integrity program, ORI Newsletter 9 (4): 1, 4.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Department of Health & Human Services (2000) Statement of organization, functions, and delegations of authority, Federal Register 65: 30600–30601.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Merton, Robert K. (1973) The normative structure of science, in: Merton, R.K., ed.: The Sociology of Science: Theoretical and Empirical Investigations, University of Chicago Press, Chicago, IL. (First published in Merton, Robert K. [1942] Science and technology in a democratic order, Journal of Legal and Political Sociology 1: 115–126.)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Zuckerman, Harriet (1988) The sociology of science, in: Smelser, N.J. ed. Handbook of Sociology, Sage Publications, Beverly Hills, CA.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Friedson, Eliot (1986) Professional Powers: A Study of the Institutionalization of Formal Knowledge, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Lodahl, Janice Beyer and Gordon, Gerald (1972) The structure of scientific fields and the functioning of university graduate departments, American Sociological Review 37 (1): 57–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Anderson, Melissa S.; Louis, Karen Seashore; and Earle, Jason (1994) Disciplinary and departmental effects on observations of faculty and graduate student misconduct, Journal of Higher Education 65 (3): 331–350.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Babchuk, Nicholas; Keith, Bruce; and Peters, George (1999) Collaboration in sociology and other scientific disciplines, The American Sociologist 30 (3): 5–21.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Campbell, Donald T. (1969) Reforms as experiments, American Psychologist 24 (4): 409–429.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Cook, Thomas D. and Campbell, D. T. (1979) Quasi-Experimentation: Design and Analysis Issues for Field Settings, Rand McNally, Chicago, IL.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Rossi, Peter H., Freeman, Howard E., and Lipsey, Mark W. (1999) Evaluation: A Systematic Approach (6th Edition), Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Felice J. Levine PhD.

Additional information

This topic was initially discussed at the AAAS-Office of Research Integrity (ORI) meeting in Washington DC on the theme: “The Role and Activities of Scientific Societies in Promoting Research Integrity” held on April 10–11, 2000.

Joyce Miller Iutcovich, PhD, is President of the Keystone University Research Corporation.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Levine, F.J., Iutcovich, J.M. Challenges in studying the effects of scientific societies on research integrity. SCI ENG ETHICS 9, 257–268 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-003-0012-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-003-0012-2

Keywords

Navigation