Abstract

Report on Moral Reasoning in Scientific Research

Kenneth D. Pimple, Ph.D.

A survey was sent in the summer of 1996 to about 300 persons who had received one or more copies of Moral Reasoning in Scientific Research: Cases for Teaching and Assessment.

84.4% of the respondents have used or intend to use the booklet to teach research ethics; only 13.5% responded "No" to this item. Of the 13 who selected "No," 10 included an answer to our question, "Why not?" None indicated they were not using the booklet because it was inappropriate or flawed.
62.2% of the respondents indicated that they had, or planned to, use the booklet to assess their students' moral reasoning ability.

Among our complimentary comments were the following:

Very user friendly, a great resource, fine the way it is.
I found the booklet very useful.
One of the general areas covered in my course is research. Your booklet has been a valuable adjunct for reference when my class reaches that specific area.
Thanks for a very helpful resource!
A good workbook, useful in stimulating discussion after introducing basic moral principles in science.

**Figure 1: Responses to poll (97 responses out of c. 300 sent).**
Have you used, or do you intend to use, Moral Reasoning to teach research ethics?	Yes	81	84.4%
	No	13	13.5%
	Not certain	2	2.1%
	TOTAL	96	100%
If yes, at what level did you/will you use it?	Undergraduate	31	30.1%
	Graduate	52	50.4%
	Post-graduate	18	17.5%
	Professional	2	2%
	TOTAL	103	100%
Did you/will you use the cases to assess your students' development in moral reasoning?	Yes	51	62.2%
	No	26	31.7%
	Maybe	5	6.1%
	TOTAL	82	100%

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Last updated: 12 December 2000
URL: http://poynter.indiana.edu/mr-abs.html
Comments: pimple@indiana.edu
Copyright 2000, The Trustees of Indiana University