Research Philosophy

We @ weknowmore.org wanted to share our research philosophy for inspiration. If you also endorse these principles and if you are interested, you are welcome to contact us for the possibilities to publish your work on our site.HonestyStrive for honesty in all scientific communications. Honestly report data, results, methods and procedures, and publication status. Do not fabricate, falsify, or misrepresent data. Do not deceive colleagues, granting agencies, or the public.ObjectivityStrive to avoid bias in experimental design, data analysis, data interpretation, peer review, personnel decisions, grant writing, expert testimony, and other aspects of research where objectivity is expected or required. Avoid or minimize bias or self-deception. Disclose personal or financial interests that may affect research.IntegrityKeep your promises and agreements; act with sincerity; strive for consistency of thought and action.CarefulnessAvoid careless errors and negligence; carefully and critically examine your own work and the work of your peers. Keep good records of research activities, such as data collection, research design, and correspondence with agencies or journals.OpennessShare data, results, ideas, tools, resources. Be open to criticism and new ideas.Respect for Intellectual PropertyHonor patents, copyrights, and other forms of intellectual property. Do not use unpublished data, methods, or results without permission. Give credit where credit is due. Give proper acknowledgement or credit for all contributions to research. Never plagiarize.ConfidentialityProtect confidential communications, such as papers or grants submitted for publication, personnel records, trade or military secrets, and patient records.Responsible PublicationPublish in order to advance research and scholarship, not to advance just your own career. Avoid wasteful and duplicative publication.Responsible MentoringHelp to educate, mentor, and advise students. Promote their welfare and allow them to make their own decisions.Respect for colleaguesRespect your colleagues and treat them fairly.Social ResponsibilityStrive to promote social good and prevent or mitigate social harms through research, public education, and advocacy.Non-DiscriminationAvoid discrimination against colleagues or students on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, or other factors that are not related to their scientific competence and integrity.CompetenceMaintain and improve your own professional competence and expertise through lifelong education and learning; take steps to promote competence in science as a whole.LegalityKnow and obey relevant laws and institutional and governmental policies.Animal CareShow proper respect and care for animals when using them in research. Do not conduct unnecessary or poorly designed animal experiments.Human Subjects ProtectionWhen conducting research on human subjects, minimize harms and risks and maximize benefits; respect human dignity, privacy, and autonomy; take special precautions with vulnerable populations; and strive to distribute the benefits and burdens of research fairly.* Adapted from Shamoo and Resnik (2003) Responsible Conduct of Research [New York: Oxford University Press]