Developing a Scientific Virtue-Based Approach to Science Ethics Training

Sci Eng Ethics. 2017 Feb;23(1):243-262. doi: 10.1007/s11948-016-9757-2. Epub 2016 Jan 27.

Abstract

Responsible conduct of research training typically includes only a subset of the issues that ought to be included in science ethics and sometimes makes ethics appear to be a set of externally imposed rules rather than something intrinsic to scientific practice. A new approach to science ethics training based upon Pennock's notion of the scientific virtues may help avoid such problems. This paper motivates and describes three implementations-theory-centered, exemplar-centered, and concept-centered-that we have developed in courses and workshops to introduce students to this scientific virtue-based approach.

Keywords: Responsible conduct of research; Science ethics; Scientific virtues.

MeSH terms

  • Bioethics / education*
  • Humans
  • Science*
  • Virtues*