Research Conduct and Integrity: Challenges for the Doctoral Journey – PRIDE Network conference
(Foto/text: Kamil Sobek)
In academic pursuits, the doctoral journey is a pinnacle of scholarly achievements for young scientists. It is a demanding path that includes relentless dedication and unwavering commitment. However, the research conduct and integrity challenges could overshadow this scholarly voyage. The foundation of the PhD journey revolves around adherence to ethical and moral standards in research that encompasses the ethical principles that guide us in our quest for knowledge, demanding honesty, transparency, and accountability. Upholding these fundamental values, unfortunately, faces many challenges due to the complexity of research and the demands placed on doctoral students.
I want to share with you my experience from the conference, which was intensively devoted to this problem and which I was able to attend, thanks to MMD. The meeting was divided into several sections, each devoted to a specific issue, which I will discuss below.
We can all agree that one of the main challenges in our PhD journey is the pressure to publish and produce ground-breaking results. In the competitive academic environment, the demand for novel findings can fuel a culture of "publish or perish," pushing researchers to prioritise quantity over quality. The relentless pursuit of publications may lead our supervisors or us to compromise the integrity of our work by engaging in dubious research methods like data manipulation or selective reporting. So, if you want your manuscript in Nature at all costs, isn't it better to submit it to the forest?:o)
And here we come to another problem, which is that we should start prioritising our well-being. A crucial but frequently disregarded aspect of the academic landscape is mental health in research. Long hours, intense pressure, and high expectations contribute to research's demanding nature. The constant drive and the inherent uncertainties and setbacks in the research process can contribute to stress, anxiety, and even burnout. The need for the research community to prioritise mental health by creating encouraging environments, encouraging work-life balance, and providing mental health resources cannot be overstated. My advice is to start taking better care of our health and well-being!
The area of collaboration and intellectual property presents another challenge. PhD students frequently collaborate with senior researchers or work in research teams. While collaboration can improve research results, it can also muddy the lines between authorship and attribution. Conflicts could emerge from problems with credit sharing and intellectual property ownership. Combined with the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence, we face challenging times. Developing digital tools and platforms creates new research opportunities and novel ethical conundrums. Responsible use of emerging technologies demands increased vigilance and ethical scrutiny from us and must be used cautiously. Universities and academic institutions must provide comprehensive training and mentorship programs emphasising research ethics, integrity, and responsible conduct; thanks to Masaryk University being part of the PRIDE Network, we, fortunately, provide such mentorship and training, which I 100% recommend visiting!
However, the blame cannot be placed on either side; we are all part of the problem. You and I are often afraid to talk about these things out loud and address them, thinking we can damage our reputation and the research team. Supervisors and mentors should understand that they are crucial in providing direction and serving as role models for ethical behaviour. They can create the conditions for research conduct throughout the doctoral journey by fostering an inclusive and supportive environment and outlining transparent and fair rules. Encouraging ethical research practices should also be a top priority for academic journals and publishers. They can help maintain the integrity of scholarly work by implementing effective peer-review procedures, fair publication standards, and transparent reviews. What I took away as a highly positive outcome is that a large group of experts at the international level are interested in improving the quality of doctoral and postgraduate studies, and trust me, they care about us.
The PhD journey is a challenging but transformative experience shaping tomorrow's leaders and scholars, and you should be proud to be part of this community. Be proactive! Take advantage of Masaryk University’s courses, and don't be afraid to speak up if you're down and struggling.
A little tip from me at the end, I also recommend becoming a member of MMD, where you can gain experience and skills that are a huge competitive advantage in the labour market after you finish your studies.
