The Role of Culture and Experience in the Perception of Research Regulations, Norms and Values

Researchers’ professional decision-making and research integrity requires more than just knowing and following rules. Researchers must navigate the complex environment in which they work, interpreting complicated norms related to the conduct of research. Researchers enter their work roles with many established attitudes that are significantly influenced by their cultural backgrounds and training experiences.

This research examined how researchers working in the U.S.—trained either in the U.S. or abroad—perceive rules, norms, and values in science and how this affects professional decision-making. The project explored mechanisms that might explain the impact of cultural background on perceptions and decision-making, including experience working in the U.S., acculturation, personality traits, and exposure to events that are unethical according to U.S. research integrity norms.

Antes, A., English, T., Baldwin, K., & DuBois, J.M. (2017, March 20). The role of culture and acculturation in researchers’ perceptions of rules in science. Journal of Science and Engineering Ethics. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1007/s11948-017-9876-4.

English, T., Antes, A.L., Baldwin, K.A., & DuBois, J.M. (2017). Development and preliminary validation of a new measure of values in scientific work. Science and Engineering Ethics. doi: 10.1007/s11948-017-9896-0.

In Progress: Researchers’ nation of origin predicts professional decision-making in research (PDR): An examination of cultural differences and interpretation of PDR scores