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Do we achieve anything by teaching research integrity to starting PhD students?

Author

Listed:
  • Shila Abdi

    (KU Leuven)

  • Steffen Fieuws

    (KU Leuven)

  • Benoit Nemery

    (KU Leuven)

  • Kris Dierickx

    (KU Leuven)

Abstract

Education of young researchers has been proposed as a way to promote research integrity. However, the effectiveness of research integrity education on PhD students is unknown. In a longitudinal design, we surveyed over 1000 starting PhD students from various disciplines regarding knowledge, attitude and behaviour before, immediately after and 3 months after a compulsory 3-h course given by a panel of experts. Compared with a control group who did not follow the course, the course recipients showed significant (multivariate analysis) but modest improvements in knowledge and attitude scores immediately after the course, but not after 3 months; a prolonged impact was apparent regarding behaviour. Moreover, the course spurred 93% of PhD students to have conversations about research integrity and 79% declared applying the content of the course. Among other interventions, formal education in research integrity may contribute to foster a climate of research integrity in academia.

Suggested Citation

  • Shila Abdi & Steffen Fieuws & Benoit Nemery & Kris Dierickx, 2021. "Do we achieve anything by teaching research integrity to starting PhD students?," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 8(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palcom:v:8:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-021-00908-5
    DOI: 10.1057/s41599-021-00908-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Daniele Fanelli, 2009. "How Many Scientists Fabricate and Falsify Research? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Survey Data," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 4(5), pages 1-11, May.
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