This study investigates PhD candidates’ (N = 391) perceptions about their research environment at a Dutch university in terms of the research climate, (un)ethical supervisory practices, and questionable research practices. We assessed whether their perceptions are related to career considerations. We gathered quantitative self-report estimations of the perceptions of PhD candidates using an online survey tool and then conducted descriptive and within-subject correlation analysis of the results. While most PhD candidates experience fair evaluation processes, openness, integrity, trust, and freedom in their research climate, many report lack of time and support, insufficient supervision, and witness questionable research practices. Results based on Spearman correlations indicate that those who experience a less healthy research environment (including experiences with unethical supervision, questionable practices, and barriers to responsible research), more often consider leaving academia and their current PhD position.

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Biospheric values can promote, and egoistic values inhibit, a broad range of pro-environmental behaviors. However, people who strongly endorse egoistic values might undertake pro-environmental behavior involving attempts to influence others. We used a questionnaire to assess the relationship between values and the likelihood that with 193 students will attempt to influence their housemates to engage in pro-environmental behavior. To measure this type of influence behavior, we developed and used the Environmental Social Influence Behavior (E-SIB) questionnaire. Both biospheric and egoistic values promoted influence behaviors. Biospheric values more strongly predicted the likelihood of social-influence actions as egoistic values decreased, except when egoistic values were high. We discuss the connections between values and social-influence behaviors, and current knowledge on the role of egoistic values in environmental actions.

PhD candidates’ attrition rates and reports of better working conditions outside academia are raising concerns about the potential impact of unhealthy research environments. To study this impact, we investigated PhD candidates’ (N = 391) perceptions about their research environment at a Dutch university in terms of the research climate, (un)ethical supervisory practices, and questionable research practices. We also assessed whether their perceptions are related to career considerations. While most PhD candidates experience fair evaluation processes, openness, integrity, trust, and freedom in their research climate, many report lack of time and support, insufficient supervision, and witness questionable research practices. Results based on Spearman correlations indicate that those who experience a less healthy research environment (including experiences with unethical supervision, questionable practices, and barriers to responsible research), more often consider leaving academia and their current PhD position.

In this paper we draw on value theory in social psychology to conceptualize the range of motives that may influence research-related attitudes, decisions, and actions of researchers. To conceptualize academic research values, we integrate theoretical insights from the personal, work, and scientific work values literature, as well as the responses of 6 interviewees and 255 survey participants about values relevant to academic research. Finally, we propose a total of 246 academic research value items spread over 11 dimensions and 36 sub-themes. We relate our conceptualization and item proposals to existing work and provide recommendations for future measurement development. Gaining a better understanding of the different values researchers have, is useful to improve scientific careers, make science attractive to a more diverse group of individuals, and elucidate some of the mechanisms leading to exemplary and questionable science.