ENGR001

Engineering Ethics
Chapter 7

Dr Walid Shatila

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 7- Ethics in Research and Experimentation

Learning Objectives

• Determine what ethical issues arise in the course of

research and experimentation
• Decide which analysis methods are most applicable to
ethics issues in research
• Learn about pathological science an ways to avoid it

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 7- Ethics in Research and Experimentation

1. Introduction
• Many engineers will become involved in research and
experimentation in the course of their academic and
professional careers.
• Research and experimentation present some ethical
challenges that warrant special consideration

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 7- Ethics in Research and Experimentation

2. Ethics and Research

• There are 2 major ethical issues related to research
– Honesty in approaching the research problem
• Avoiding preconceived notions about what the results will be
• Being open to changing the hypothesis when such action is
warranted by evidence
• Ensuring that an objective frame of mind is maintained

– Honesty in reporting the results

• The results of an experiment must not be overstated, but
rather an accurate assessment and interpretation of the data
• It is important to distinguish between intentional deception
(ethical issue), and incorrect results (not an ethical issue)
• It is also important that proper credit is given to everyone
who participated in a research project

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 7- Ethics in Research and Experimentation

3. Pathological Science
• Self-deception
– Self-deception is one of the biggest impediments to the
successful completion of a research or experimental project
– The term “pathological science” does not imply any
intentional dishonesty, but only that the researcher comes to
a false conclusions based on lack of understanding about how
easy it is to trick yourself through wishful thinking and
subjectivity