What Are Research Ethics?

Research ethics are based on the notion that writing is an honest exchange of information, ideas, and arguments among writers and readers who share an interest in a subject. As a writer, you’ll want to behave honestly and ethically. In general, you should do the following:

These three rules are the essence of research ethics. Ultimately, failing to act ethically — even when the failure is unintentional — can reflect poorly on you and your document. If your readers suspect that you have acted unethically, they will question the accuracy and credibility of the information, ideas, and arguments in your document. If they suspect that you have sacrificed research ethics altogether, they’ll probably stop reading your document.

By adhering to research ethics — acknowledging your sources, representing them fairly, and citing them accurately — you can earn the trust of your readers and increase the chances that they’ll pay attention to your argument. The illustration on the next page, from Jennie Tillson’s essay about the high costs of college tuition, demonstrates a writer’s adherence to research ethics.

For a closer look, click on each image to enlarge it.

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Adhering to research ethics