Scientific integrity among nursing students participating in the Scientific Initiation Program: An exploratory study

Abstract

Objective: To know the positions and practices adopted by nursing students in scientific initiation programs about the principles of scientific integrity in the different stages of the process of doing science. Method: An exploratory study of a quantitative nature, in which nursing student participants of the Scientific Initiation Program from the Federal District were interviewed. Results: Fifty (50) nursing students participated in the study. Most of the interviewed participants presented good notions about the process of conducting research in its different stages. Nevertheless, it was found that even though they were familiar with good scientific practices, students did not always behave in the most responsible manner. It was observed that the knowledge on topics related to the ethics of the scientific process was predominantly obtained through formal education, consisting of classes and courses. Nonetheless, the importance of complementary spaces such as research and research groups is recognized. Conclusion: Research experiences are important educational and vocational training spaces for students. Therefore, good research practices need to be included early in the academic curriculum.

Mapping of Empirical Studies on Research Integrity in University Institutions

“…In the category (Representations about IR), from 2016 to 2020 and 2023, studies addressed topics related to perceptions, knowledge, and attitudes towards IR breaches, and also dealt extensively with misconduct, questionable investigative practices and whistleblowing cases (Ababneh et al, 2020;Bouter et al, 2016;da Silva et al, 2020;Hofmann & Holm, 2019;Huybers et al, 2020;Kalichman, 2020;Olesen et al, 2019;Yi et al, 2019a). In 2018, 2021 and 2022, studies address research integrity itself rather than infringements (Armond & Kakuk, 2022;Aubert Bonn & Pinxten, 2021a, 2021bTelha, 2021).…”

“…(Antes et al, 2019;Carnero et al, 2017;Davies & Lindvig, 2021;Deniau, 2023;Hyytinen & Löfström, 2017;Knysh et al, 2020;Pizzolato & Dierickx, 2022;Roje et al, 2021;Stigger et al, 2022; Yi et al(Abdi, Fieuws, et al, 2021;Armond & Kakuk, 2022;Bouter et al, 2016;Chua et al, 2022;da Silva et al, 2020;Deniau, 2023;Haven et al, 2019;Hofmann et al, 2020;Hofmann & Holm, 2019;Kalichman, 2020;Malički et al, 2019;Olesen et al, 2019;Simon et al, 2019;Tomić et al, 2022) …”

Conhecimentos dos estudantes de pós-graduação em enfermagem sobre má conduta em pesquisa [Postgraduate nursing students’ knowledge of research misconduct] [Conocimiento de estudiantes de postgrado en enfermería sobre la mala conducta en la investigación]

“…Os espaços de formação são determinantes para que pesquisadores e discentes exerçam práticas no sentido de fortalecer o saber científico, contribuindo para o desenvolvimento de protagonistas críticos e competentes em prol de uma articulação ética da ciência 7,16 . Reitera-se a importância de estudos que contemplem as boas práticas científicas na academia, no sentido de favorecerem a perpetuação da ética no âmbito científico 16,17 .…”

Postgraduate nursing students’ conceptions on scientific integrity and research ethics

“…It is added that good scientific practices, as well as the perpetuation of integrity in the academic training environment, should be disseminated by teaching and research organizations, encouraging autonomous and reflective processes (32) . Furthermore, it becomes extremely valid to reflect on the strengthening of ethics in the curricular bases, with the purpose of mitigating inappropriate practices (33) .…”