Ethical Choices in Research

Book excerpt: Many books discuss the ethical treatment of human subjects in behavioral research, yet few talk about the equally important ethical issues that arise when the data are being analyzed and the study is being written up. All researchers need to be aware of their professional responsibilities and make sound choices after the subjects have left. This practical and easy-to-follow guide walks readers through often overlooked decision points in the research process. Drawing from his extensive experience as a teacher of research methods and a senior editorial advisor, and from well-established standards of practice -- including the APA Ethics Code -- Harris Cooper is the ideal mentor in this process. Readers of this book will learn how to: Collect and manage data in a way that does not compromise the confidentiality of subjects Avoid data fraud and misleading data analysis Assign research responsibilities and authorships to team members Avoid committing plagiarism and intellectual theft Navigate the journal submission and publication process Post-publication ethical considerations are also addressed, including researchers' obligations when communicating their findings to the media and the general public, and when engaging with the scientific community as a peer reviewer.