On Being a Scientist or Researcher

1
On Being a Scientist or Researcher

• Responsible Conduct in Research
• Ag. Ec. 170
• August 30, 2002
• Acknowledgements National Academy of Science

2
Social Foundations of Research

• What do Researchers or Scientists Do?
• Observe problems and try to solve them
• Define objectives of study
• State hypotheses
• Collect evidence
• Communicate results
• Review and critique results of others
• Train and supervise associates

3
Social Foundations of Research

• Research is a Social and Technical Enterprise
• Collaborate w/ Colleagues
• Attend and Present Papers
• Meetings, seminars, company conferences
• Ongoing Review and Criticism Important
• Minimize Secretiveness
• Conducted by Skeptics

4
Experimental Techniques

• Experimental Techniques and Data Treatment
• Designed to minimize personal bias
• Statistical validation
• Blind trials
• Survey design
• Random samples
• Stratified random samples
• Purposive sampling
• Results can be checked, replicated and accepted

5
Experimental Techniques

• Methodology Defined by Researcher
• Sometimes elusive
• Controversial--Cold fusion
• Collaborative vs. individuality
• Andrew Wyles
• Einstein
• Bucky balls
• Methodology Understood and Replicable
• Cold fusion experiments

6
Values in Science and Research

• Interpret Data, Present and Communicate results
• Best way to work w/ others present results
• Values Affect way Research is Conducted
• Einstein God does not play dice
• Lyells incremental vs. chaotic geologic change
• Continued Search and Skepticism vs. Blind Belief
• Mendelian vs. Russian social genetics
• Evolution vs. creationism
• Challenge to Understand Role of Individual Values

7
Conflicts of Interest

• Public vs. Private Funding
• Financial interests in project or proposal
• Company sponsored research
• Reviewing/Collaborating With Others
• Same area, ahead of you
• Same area, behind you
• Company and Institutional Policies and Procedures
• Disclosure

8
Publication and Openness

• Birth of Modern Science
• Prior to 17th century secretiveness prevailed
• Isacc Newton
• John Harrisons struggle
• Birth of Modern Refereed Journal-Oldenburg
• Publication
• Review
• Publication vs. Pre-Publication Avenues
• Electronic publication

9
Publication and Openness

• Protection of Self Interest
• Individual and firm
• Proprietary, military
• Scrutiny of work still important
• Suppression of negative results--Jeff Wygand
• Defensibility of results
• Social research often sloppy, patronizing
• Promotion of client self interest vs. correct
  methodology

10
Allocation of Credit

• Citation
• Acknowledgements
• Bring Others Along
• Senior vs. junior collaboration
• Acknowledging associates and subordinates

11
Errors and Negligence

• Errors of Omission vs. Commission
• Research is not infallible
• Disclose quickly
• Errors of Negligence Destroy a Career
• Doctoring surveys
• Doctoring trials
• Doctoring data
• Cold Fusion Again