Graduate student perceptions of preparedness for responsible conduct of research: a mixed methods study

ABSTRACT

This study aims to explore the factors contributing to the perceived preparedness of graduate students for responsible conduct of research (RCR). A convergent mixed design was used, and both interview and quantitative data were collected, analyzed, and integrated to understand the role of individual and institutional factors in the perceived RCR preparedness of graduate students. Both interview and quantitative data converge on the role of mentor instruction and institutional policies in developing RCR preparedness. The findings also suggested that greater exposure of students to ethical norms and practices is critical in nurturing RCR.

KEYWORDS:

• Responsible conduct of research
• research and publication ethics
• graduate students
• mixed methods research
• ethics education

CONSENT FORM

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

ETHICAL APPROVAL

All procedures performed in this study involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional ethical committee. The ethical consent was taken for interview and quantitative data collection from the Human Subjects Ethics Committee of the institution researchers are affiliated to. The first consent was solicited on December 15, 2017 and the second consent was solicited on December 12, 2019 (approval code: 2017-EGT-190).

DATA AVAILABILITY

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (Project code: 118K156).