End of Life
End of Life Objectives
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Provide global perspective on end-of-life conditions for older adults.
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Describe the importance of ethics in science research.
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Explain why reduction of bias and peer review are essential in the research process.
Elderly adults have varied experiences near the end of their lives. This video provides some perspective.
There is a long history of groups being mis-represented or mistreated in medical research. This includes research on concerns specific to the elderly, who have been regarded as a lower priority that younger individuals.
Scientific knowledge is inadequate and possibly inaccurate if attempts are not made to engage in ethical conduct. The next section discusses ethical considerations, reduction of bias, and the significance of peer review.
There are many critical characteristics that impact how science is actually done. At the end of this section, you are considering the importance of ethics, reduction of bias, and peer review in this guide’s media piece.
ETHICS DEFINED:
Ethics is a branch of philosophy that explores whether behaviors are right or wrong. This includes determining and following a moral course of action.
Examples of Ethical Behaviors in Science
Here are a few examples of ethical behaviors:
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Sharing research data even when it does not support the original hypothesis or overall research agenda.
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Making decisions because they are the best work you can do, even if the work takes more time, expense, or criticism.
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Considering the health and well-being of research subjects.
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Supporting researchers that make correct decisions, rejecting researchers who make incorrect decisions.
Violations of Ethical Behaviors in Science
Here are a few examples of unethical behaviors
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Inaccurate record-keeping, withholding data, or falsifying data.
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Taking personal credit for someone else’s work.
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Promoting a personal agenda that the research does not support.
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Promoting a closed, hostile, or prejudicial research environment.
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Disregarding the comfort and well-being of research subjects.
Safeguards against Unethical Behaviors:
Scientists may make personal attempts to reduce bias and/or share potential biases. Peer scientists who know about the field, review research from other scientists, in part to reduce unethical behaviors in science.
BIAS DEFINED:
Bias is a prejudice for or against something. Bias can limit someone’s ability to function objectively throughout the research process.
Reducing Bias in Science
Here are a few examples of reducing bias
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Being aware of potential sources of personal bias, including: nationality, ethnic origin, age, gender, political views, etc.
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Looking for evidence of potential bias through all parts of the research process from the questions asked, the way data are interpreted, to analysis and interpretation.
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Having other scientists review the work, looking for possible bias.
Question to Consider:
If you had data that did not support your research hypothesis or personal agenda, why would it be wrong to simply withhold that data?
Image from: Understanding Science
http://undsci.berkeley.edu/article/howscienceworks_16
PEER REVIEW DEFINED:
Peer review is a process by which scientists critique and evaluate proposed research and publications. Peer review is a way to maintain ethical standards in science.
Peer Review in Science
Here are a few examples of peer review
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A panel of scientists conducting similar research reads a submitted paper and decides whether it is suitable for publication.
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A committee reviews a grant proposal and accepts it, recommends revisions, or rejects funding.
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Fellow researchers attend a research seminar and offer suggestions.
Question to Consider:
What is the advantage of obtaining information from a peer-reviewed “scientific” research paper instead of non-reviewed article on the web?
Image from: Understanding Science
http://undsci.berkeley.edu/article/howscienceworks_16
This is the end of the Non-Infectious Diseases guide. Information from this guide and corresponding lecture, as well as the next Parasites & Pathogens guide, are assessed on the weekly quiz.
Check your knowledge. Can you:
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provide global perspective on end-of-life conditions for older adults?
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describe the importance of ethics in science research?
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explain why reduction of bias and peer review are essential in the research process?
Go back to the Diabetes Page
Go back to the Non-Infectious Diseases Guide Overview
Non-Infectious Diseases Lecture Guide Contents
The material from this guide and corresponding lecture is assessed on the weekly quiz.
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Non-Infectious Diseases
