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Author Topic:   Does competition in science compromise integrity?
sinequanon
Member (Idle past 2864 days)
Posts: 331
Joined: 12-17-2007


Message 1 of 6 (448131)
01-12-2008 7:36 AM


As in many other human endeavours competition plays its part in scientific research.
Are there any negative impacts of competition in science, and if so what are they?
Status, fame and money can be powerful incentives in a person's life. It is common to some extent, for people to compromise their integrity in pursuit of these goals. Are scientists any better than average?
Here's a hypothetical example.
Professor Blank is at the forefront of his field having been accredited with a breakthrough theory. He has status, fame and fortune. But, with his multi-million dollar funding for developing his theory, he has stumbled on a serious flaw. However, he realises that, given the expense and counterintuitiveness of the rogue test, it is unlikely anyone else will discover the glitch. Does he speak out and publicise it in the interests of science? Or does he keep quiet?
A little known junior scientist is proposing what he believes to be an alternative simpler theory. He is struggling for funding to test, support, and popularise his theory. Professor Blank gets to hear of it and finds that this new theory explains the case which his theory could not explain. He risks losing a lot of funding and his special status as originator of current theory. Do you expect him to speak up at this point in the interest of science? Or would his competitive streak interfere?
I think scientists have no more integrity than average and many would choose status, fame and money over integrity.

Replies to this message:
 Message 2 by nwr, posted 01-12-2008 9:12 AM sinequanon has not replied
 Message 3 by jar, posted 01-12-2008 10:08 AM sinequanon has not replied
 Message 4 by Quetzal, posted 01-12-2008 10:41 AM sinequanon has not replied
 Message 5 by Modulous, posted 01-12-2008 12:15 PM sinequanon has not replied
 Message 6 by Taz, posted 01-12-2008 1:20 PM sinequanon has not replied

  
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