Making Professional Decisions in Research: Measurement and Key Predictors

Area of Science:

• Scientific Integrity
• Research Ethics
• Psychology of Science

Background:

• Professional decision-making in research (PDR) is crucial for scientific integrity.
• Understanding factors influencing PDR is essential for promoting ethical research conduct.
• Previous research has not fully elucidated the psychological and knowledge-based correlates of PDR.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the associations between the PDR measure and various psychological constructs, including cynicism, moral disengagement, impulsivity, and knowledge of responsible conduct of research (RCR).
• To identify key predictors of stronger performance on the PDR measure among research investigators.

Main Methods:

• Administered the PDR measure to 400 NIH- and industry-funded investigators.
• Assessed cynicism, moral disengagement, compliance disengagement, impulsivity, work stressors, RCR knowledge, and socially desirable response tendencies.
• Utilized multivariate logistic regression to identify predictors of PDR performance.

Main Results:

• Negative associations were observed between PDR and cynicism, moral disengagement, and compliance disengagement.
• Positive associations were found between PDR and RCR knowledge and positive urgency (an impulsivity subscale).
• Lower moral disengagement, higher RCR knowledge, and US origin predicted stronger PDR scores.

Conclusions:

• PDR is associated with ethical considerations and RCR knowledge, not merely response bias or work stress.
• Findings inform the measurement of decision-making in research and guide future RCR education strategies.
• Interventions aimed at reducing moral disengagement and enhancing RCR knowledge may improve research decision-making.