Case Study 1: Data Handling and Record Keeping

You are a graduate student working in a lab where data are accumulated for the
purposes of measuring the optical absorption of a variety of samples. For each
sample there is a large data file stored on a computer in the lab. In reviewing a lab
notebook from one of your predecessors in the lab and comparing that to data
published by the lab, you find a gap. That is, some of the data that were published
are not accounted for in the lab notebook. Furthermore, you are unable to locate
the computer files for this missing data. You talk to a fellow graduate student
about this situation, and he tells you that you should be very concerned about the
situation and that it should be reported.
Question:
1. What are some possible situations that could explain the “missing” data, and
how should you proceed for each?
There are a number of arguments that may be made for the missing data in the
scenario above. First, the predecessor completed the missing data but did not save it in
the same lab notebook or in the files used for reference. Due to a lack of room for
computations alongside the data, he may have kept a separate notebook for it.
I would examine every lab notebook that the previous section leader had returned to the
section in charge before moving forward with this. I may be able to locate the missing
data on various notebooks purchased by the predecessor since the responsible division
keeps track of notebooks that are issued and returned. Secondly, someone else had
been using the predecessor's lab notebook. The other pages were taken out, and the
individual used a different lab notebook for the data since it's possible that the lab
notebook's serial numbers weren't there. In the event of a disagreement, a laboratory
notebook is a sacred lab record that allows for the re-verification of other data by a third
party. Even though it may be used as a legal document, both people are now
responsible for maintaining its correct custody. To resolve this, I will track out who
entered the lab and conducted the experiment using the identical materials. I would ask
them for their lab notebooks so I could inspect them and look for the missing data. If
none of these procedures will enable me to locate the missing data, I will inform the
laboratory management of this in order to put an end to the investigation and search for
the data. The explanations hinge on one issue: the issue with record keeping.
Furthermore, it's also conceivable that the experimenter's wrongdoing led to the missing
data not really existing. Due to his focus on the actual operation, the individual may
have forgotten to note the other aspects of the experiment. Additionally, it's possible that
the individual performing the experiment is unaware of the customary controls and
obligations, which include documenting data continuously and honestly.
Another course of action I would do is to inform the laboratory's head or specialists of
the issue so they can assist me in finding a solution. Since my fellow grads lack
sufficient viewpoints and experiences about misbehavior and record keeping issues, I
would not even think about speaking with them. The advice is better for I wanted to talk
to individuals who had worked in that field for a long time and had a variety of
experiences to get their opinion on the issue.

Case Study 2: Intellectual Property

You find a novel solution to an important problem posed by your advisor;
however, your advisor sees this as an opportunity for him to get published,
downplays the significance of the results, collates a paper and submits it before
you are any the wiser (the paper acknowledges a discussion with you, but does
not include you as an author). You are absolutely clear that this idea was yours,
and feel suitably put out. You approach your advisor and make a complaint, but
he empathizes with you and tells you to be a bit quicker with the write-up next
time. He tells you, “That’s just the way of the world.” You decide not to leave it
there, and approach the head of the department (going up one link in the
management chain). You make your complaint to him, and he asks you for
evidence, but you can’t provide any because you didn’t keep a dated notebook:
all of your notes are in several ring binders, some at home and some in your desk
at work. You start feeling a bit silly, and the head advises you to drop the matter.
Questions
1. Should you drop the issue?
Personally I would not drop the issue. I would not let my energy be wasted and let him
claim my work. For the reason, that I have all the rights to complain and to be included
as one of the proponent of the paper. Even though I have no concrete evidences to
provide, I would arrange my notes properly to make it an evidence on behalf.
2. Are there long-term consequences for anyone to not dropping the issue?
If anyone does not drop the issue, I think there are possible long term consequences
that he might face. This person may receive punishment from his advisor if he will
continue to pursue the issue that may affect his grades and his mental health.
3. Is there a “fair” way to make a claim to the results?
Yes, I think there would be a “fair” to make a claim to the results if only there is some
useful and legit evidences to be presented to the higher ups.
4. In the last question, what does the word “fair” mean?
In the above question, the word “fair” refers to making a decision in accordance with the
laws and standards without discriminating between the parties. Fairness encourages
moral action, therefore information must be obtained, appraised, and taken into
consideration. Making decisions required weighing conflicting interests.
5. The section on Educational Concerns has a case study about whistleblowing.
Are there any Whistle blower aspects to this case study?
A whistleblower is a person who exposes any kind of information or activities that are
deemed illegal, unethical or not correct in a public or private organization. In this case
study, some aspects are related to whistleblowing. The whistleblower in the case study
is the student as he was the one who reported his advisor’s illegal act even though it
was not proven.

Case study 3: Reporting Violations and Plagiarism

You are a faculty mentor for a graduate student in your department. The student
is taking some classes in another department that requires written essays. He
asks you to read his essay before he submits it. You routinely google his work
and discover that large parts have been lifted, verbatim, from the web with no
quotation marks or citations.
Questions
1. What should you do?
Copying someone’s work in the internet without citing the source will never be right. The
first thing I would do is to talk to him and ask him why he did that illegal thing. I would
not immediately report the student to the higher positions because I think that student
has his own reason. I would suggest that student to revise his work and never copy
again from the internet. However, if he would repeatedly do it then I would report the
issue to the
2. Is there a way to monitor this student’s future behavior without irreparably
damaging his career?
Yes, I think there is a way to monitor this student’s future behavior without irreparably
damaging his career. In the way that I would give conditions in order for him not to do it
again. I would patiently check his every work to ensure the quality of his paper.