Contributed paper list


   (Thursday 17th, 10:55-12:25)   In session C12C

Teaching scientific integrity through statistics

Authors

Marijtje A.J. Van Duijn, Wendy J. Post

Presenter

Marijtje A.J. Van Duijn (The Netherlands)

Abstract

In the past years, Dutch academia was confronted with several cases of fraud. The Stapel investigation revealed that the prevailing research culture allowed questionable research practices (QRP). As a consequence, there is an ongoing debate on how to prevent academic misconduct. Teaching scientific integrity is an evident solution, although its implementation may be less obvious. In our workshops and classes we have used the principles of statistical reasoning and methodology, especially validity, to help students understand the importance of scientific integrity and the dangers and consequences of QRP. We feel that this approach is more effective than merely discussing principles of scientific integrity, such as verifiability and independence. The explanation may be that students are sufficiently aware of the ethical norms, but fail to see how they apply to or might challenge their own behavior. We will present an outline of our lectures.