Sustaining student’s research character

Abstract

As academic and research institutions lay the groundwork for integrity through training and policies. It is equally important to recognize the influence of research mentoring and the academic community in upholding research integrity. Together, these factors underscore the collective responsibility of both institutions and individuals to maintain the highest standards of ethical conduct (Çelik & Razı, 2023; Huybers et al., 2020).

Research character pertains to the qualities and traits that students develop to excel in the realm of research. It comprises elements of curiosity, critical thinking, persistence, and dedication to ethical behavior, all of which serve as the foundation for a successful researcher's path. Curiosity drives the pursuit of knowledge and inspires discoveries. Critical thinking helps students discern information amid a deluge of data and ensures rigorous, ethical research. Perseverance enables students to overcome obstacles and make groundbreaking discoveries. Ethical conduct is the bedrock of credible research, emphasizing integrity and transparency. Communication skills, collaboration, and time management are essential for sharing research findings and maintaining a sustainable research journey (Amerstorfer & Von Münster-Kistner, 2021). Students became motivated by their personal interest in research, followed by the utility value of the experience (Ceyhan & Tillotson, 2020). By fostering these attributes, we enable students to evolve into future academic leaders, innovators, and effective problem solvers (Kolstoe & Pugh, 2023).

However, several challenges have arisen in research ethics and integrity promotion. Academic institutions are still dealing with several research misconduct such as fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, data mismanagement, and conflicts of interest (Alfaro-Núñez, 2022). Some explain that the occurrence of research misconduct is somehow considered a bad apple and organizational culture which happens because we think that other members of the institution or other institutions have displayed similar behavior (Haven & Van Woudenberg, 2021).

Other institutions made progress in promoting research integrity by using a closely linked 4-pillar promotion framework such as policies and regulations, institutional management, researchers’ education and training, and misconduct case handling. First, policies and regulations may include guidelines for ethical conduct, data management, authorship, and conflicts of interest. Clear policies and regulations help set the standards for ethical research within an institution. Second, effective institutional management focuses on creating a culture of research integrity. This may involve promoting a climate of ethical conduct, fostering transparency, and providing resources and support for research. It can also encompass accountability structures and mechanisms for addressing research misconduct. Third, it is important to provide researchers with the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct research with integrity. Education and training may cover topics like responsible authorship, data management, and ethical decision-making. Lastly, institutions may consider having procedures to investigate and adjudicate misconduct cases, ensuring due process and fairness, and taking appropriate actions when misconduct is substantiated (Chou et al., 2023; DuBois & Antes, 2018). Considering this framework, the role of academic institutions, government agencies, and researchers is pivotal in maintaining research integrity practices by promoting a culture of research integrity and maintaining high ethical standards in the pursuit of knowledge (Lee & Kalichman, 2016).