The Millennial Researchers’ Ethical Decision Model: A Psychoanalytic Approach

Abstract

Little is known on the psychoanalytic approach underlies ethical decision impetus of millennial researchers in Malaysia, let alone an integrated model of ethical decision making due to dearth of empirical support to further understand their ethical wisdom and sensible conduct in research. The millennials are those aged between 32 and below, and making up over 40 percent of the Malaysian population. Due to generational characteristics, millennial researchers are believed to have less ethical tolerance. The undervaluation of ethical dimensions has caused practical disability of researchers to describe social activities accurately, and to employ adequate justification of social hope and moral justification. Accordingly, this study is important to synthesis the underlying factors of ethical decision making for millennial researchers. This paper focuses on the triangulation of moral development theory, theory of reasoned action, and psychoanalytic theory to support the third thrust of National Higher Education Strategic Plan wherein to enhance research and innovation. The model will address the gap between theory, practice, and process that allows for the construction of complementary perspectives on ethical decision making in interdisciplinary research. Thus, it enriches the understanding to adequately explain social reality. This approach helps to generate a more complete knowledge about the contemporary issues in research.