Michael+Usewick+RP+Post+2


 * 1) My research question as of now is: In the furthering of science, to what extent should we consider morality/ethics?
 * 2) What is Ethics in Research & Why is it Important?
 * 3) by David B. Resnik, J.D., Ph.D. National Institute of Environmental Health Services
 * 4) http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/resources/bioethics/whatis/
 * 5) Website source, I accessed yesterday and today (5/25 and 5/26)
 * S: Importance of ethics in research, ethics defined, ethics in science in general, many included examples O: Written by an expert in the field, designed to be informative for the website it is posted on A: People doing research on ethics, anyone who wants a credible source for ethics in science, professors, students, other scientists P: To define ethics in the context of the scientific world, specifically research. To help inform people of the importance and use of ethics in science S: David B. Resnik, the National Institute of Environmental Health Services, various institutions and organizations are represented in their ethics policies. Tone: Intellectual, learned, informative, authoritative
 * 1) This source provides a detailed definition of the concept of ethics in the context of the scientific community in order to show its importance. The source also synthesizes morality and ethics, showing that morality and ethics are not common sense, and therefore are needed in the study of the natural world. The source then continues to give examples of institutions (such as colleges and research companies) who have ethics policies, and explains in great detail the components and uses of each piece.
 * 2) The main point the author makes here is that ethics and morality, especially in the scientific world, are more than simple common sense, more than just knowing right from wrong, but more an elaborate plan that is put together by organizations around the world in order to ensure ethical procedures which will be accepted by the rest of the community. The author also argues that these ethical procedures are more casual than laws, but are just as essential because of how they can shape research and how findings are presented.
 * 3) This author has persuaded me on the idea that ethics and morality are not simply common sense, that we need a set of guidelines to follow for people to stay within the ethical boundaries. The author has not, however, persuaded me to not continue to research how the scientific community could benefit from looser ethics, as many of the ethical procedures he has offered are more interpersonal, and political ethics such as honesty and respect for intellectual property, which I will not be researching in my project as I believe they are very important and there is no evidence suggesting we do away with such ideals. The more interesting ideas, however, include the topics focused on ethical decision making and responsible publication/confidentiality, which I can see potential for counters to the reasons for having these policies.
 * "Although codes, policies, and principals are very important and useful, like any set of rules, they do not cover every situation, they often conflict, and they require considerable interpretation."
 * "However, given the huge list of potential offenses that might fall into the category "other serious deviations," and the practical problems with defining and policing these other deviations, it is understandable why government officials have chosen to limit their focus."
 * "Will training and education in research ethics help reduce the rate of misconduct in science? It is too early to tell. The answer to this question depends, in part, on how one understands the causes of misconduct."
 * "Ethical norms are so ubiquitous that one might be tempted to regard them as simple commonsense. On the other hand, if morality were nothing more than commonsense, then why are there so many ethical disputes and issues in our society?"
 * "One plausible explanation of these disagreements is that all people recognize some common ethical norms but different individuals interpret, apply, and balance these norms in different ways in light of their own values and life experiences."
 * "One plausible explanation of these disagreements is that all people recognize some common ethical norms but different individuals interpret, apply, and balance these norms in different ways in light of their own values and life experiences."