The Influence of Disclosure and Ethics Education on Perceptions of Financial Conflicts of Interest

Abstract

This study explored how disclosure of financial conflicts of interest (FCOI) influences naïve or "lay" individuals' perceptions of the ethicality of researcher conduct. On a between-subjects basis, participants read ten scenarios in which researchers disclosed or failed to disclose relevant financial conflicts of interest. Participants evaluated the extent to which each vignette represented a FCOI, its possible influence on researcher objectivity, and the ethics of the financial relationship. Participants were then asked if they had completed a college-level ethics course. Results indicated that FCOI disclosure significantly influenced participants' perceptions of the ethicality of the situation, but only marginally affected perceptions of researcher objectivity and had no significant influence on perceptions of the existence of FCOIs. Participants who had previously completed a college-level ethics course appeared more sensitive to the importance of FCOI disclosure than those who lacked such background. This result suggests that formal ethical training may help individuals become more critical consumers of scientific research.

An Evidence-Based Evaluation of Disclosure

“…In a randomized trial using mailed financial disclosure letters to patients, nearly one in four patients reported that knowing financial disclosure increased their trust (2). Disclosures also significantly reduced individuals' perception of researchers' ethics, but only marginally affected perceptions of a researchers' objectivity (10). Disclosures appear at least sometimes to create a false sense of security, contrary to their intended purpose of increasing awareness for potential author bias.…”

Revisiting Carr’s Business Bluff: Opinions on the Ethics of Playing the Game

“…However, questions may arise as to whether this is ethical in a sense by not giving full disclosure. When failure to reveal potentially negative information could cause harm to the competition, then obviously an ethical conundrum is evident and integrity of the business could be damaged (Sacco et al 2014). However, within the context of the business deal, bluffing a weak hand is not considered unethical by remaining within legal parameters (Carr 1968).…”

Conflict of interest disclosure in biomedical research: a review of current practices, biases, and the role of public registries in improving transparency

“…For readers, the presence of a disclosed conflict of interest may influence their response to information in unexpected ways, including increasing their trust or making them dismissive of the material [ 46 , 47 ]. However, in a recent study within a small group, it was found that the disclosure of a financial conflict of interest had little impact on a lay audience’s interpretation of research and helped to moderate the concerns of audiences with training in ethics [ 48 ].…”