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Sci-tech: Ethics, IP, and data

Last Updated: 1-Mar-2015

This guide contains information resources on ethical codes and research conduct, research ethics, publishing ethics, copyright, data management services at Stanford, laboratory notebooks, plus some special journal issues and websites on data.

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On Being A Scientist from the National Academies

"The scientific research enterprise is built on a foundation of trust. Scientists trust that the results reported by others are valid. Society trusts that the results of research reflect an honest attempt by scientists to describe the world accurately and without bias. But this trust will endure only if the scientific community devotes itself to exemplifying and transmitting the values associated with ethical scientific conduct. This video is based on third edition of On Being a Scientist and reflects developments since the publication of the original edition in 1989 and a second edition in 1995."

Academic tips for undergrads by Colin Purrington

Maintaining a laboratory notebook
Designing conference posters
Writing science papers
Giving science talks
Weaseling into a research lab
Requesting letters of recommendation
Using laptops for notes

Research ethics

Key Documents

Stanford University

On Being a Scientist
On being a scientist : a guide to responsible conduct in research / Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy, National Academy of Science, National Academy of Engineering, and Institute of Medicine of the National Academies.
3rd ed. Washington, D.C. : National Academies Press, 2009.
Chemistry & ChemEng Library (Swain) » Stacks » Q180 .A1 S35 2009
Art of Being a Scientist: a guide for graduate students and their mentors
The art of being a scientist : a guide for graduate students and their mentors / Roel Snieder and Ken Larner.
Cambridge, UK ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2009.
Chemistry & ChemEng Library (Swain) » Stacks » Q147 .S64 2009
Critical Risk Research
Critical risk research [electronic resource] : practices, politics, and ethics / Matthew Kearnes, Francisco Klauser, and Stuart Lane.
Hoboken, N.J. : Wiley, 2012.
Stanford University Libraries » Online resource » eResource
The ethical chemist
The ethical chemist : professionalism and ethics in science / Jeffrey Kovac.
Upper Saddle River, N.J. : Prentice Hall, c2004.
Chemistry & ChemEng Library (Swain) » Stacks » QD39.7 .K69 2004
The Ethical Chemist is a self-contained introduction to scientific ethics that can also be used as a textbook for a course or seminar, or as an instructor resource.
Ethics education and scientific and engineering research
Ethics education and scientific and engineering research [electronic resource] : what's been learned? what should be done? : summary of a workshop / Rachelle Hollander, editor ; Carol R. Arenberg, co-editor ; Center for Engineering, Ethics, and Society; National Academy of Engineering of the National Academies.
Washington, D.C. : National Academies Press, c2009.
Stanford University Libraries » Online resource » eResource
Ethics in Science
Ethics in science : ethical misconduct in scientific research / John D'Angelo.
Boca Raton, FL : Taylor & Francis, c2012.
Chemistry & ChemEng Library (Swain) » Stacks » Q180.55 .M67 D36 2012
Ethics in Science and Engineering
Ethics in science and engineering / James G. Speight and Russell Foote.
Hoboken, N.J. : Wiley ; Salem, Mass. : Scrivener, c2011.
Engineering Library (Terman) » Stacks » Q147 .S677 2011
Research Ethics
Research ethics : a philosophical guide to the responsible conduct of research / [edited by] Gary Comstock.
Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, c2013.
Chemistry & ChemEng Library (Swain) » Stacks » Q180.55 .M67 R465 2013
Research Ethics for Scientists
Research ethics for scientists : a companion for students / C. Neal Stewart Jr.
West Sussex, UK ; Hoboken, NJ : Wiley, 2011.
SAL3 (off-campus storage) » Stacks » Q180.55 .M67 S76 2011
Responsible Science: ensuring the integrity of the research process
Responsible science : ensuring the integrity of the research process / Panel on Scientific Responsibility and the Conduct of Research, Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy, National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine.
Washington, D.C. : Nationl Academy Press, 1992-
SAL1&2 (on-campus shelving) » Stacks » Q180.55 .M67 C66 1992 V.1
Scientific integrity: text and cases in responsible conduct of research
Scientific integrity : text and cases in responsible conduct of research / Francis L. Macrina.
3rd ed. Washington, D.C. : ASM Press, c2005.
Chemistry & ChemEng Library (Swain) » Stacks » Q180.5 .M67 M33 2005
Student's guide to research ethics
The student's guide to research ethics / Paul Oliver.
2nd ed. Maidenhead, Berkshire, England : McGraw-Hill/Open University Press, 2010.
Chemistry & ChemEng Library (Swain) » Stacks » Q180.55 .M67 O38 2010
Style and ethics of communication in science and engineering
Style and ethics of communication in science and engineering [electronic resource] / Jay D. Humphrey, Jeffrey W. Holmes.
San Rafael, Calif. (1537 Fourth Street, San Rafael, CA 94901 USA) : Morgan & Claypool Publishers, c2009.
Stanford University Libraries » Online resource » eResource

Ethics - selected links

Publishing ethics

American Chemical Society publications - ethical guidelines
The ACS Journals' Ethical Guidelines are offered from a conviction that the observance of high ethical standards is so vital to the whole scientific enterprise that a definition of those standards should be brought to the attention of all concerned.
COPE: Committee on Publication Ethics
COPE is a forum for editors and publishers of peer-reviewed journals to discuss all aspects of publication ethics. It also advises editors on how to handle cases of research and publication misconduct.
Council of science editors' white paper on promoting integrity in scientific journal publications, 2009 update
The Council of Science Editors and its Editorial Policy Committee encourage everyone involved in the journal publishing process to take responsibility for promoting integrity in scientific journal publishing.
CrossCheck
CrossCheck powered by iThenticate is an initiative started by CrossRef to help its members actively engage in efforts to prevent scholarly and professional plagiarism.
Publishing ethics resource kit (PERK)
The Publishing Ethics Resource Kit (PERK) is an online resource to support journal editors in handling publishing ethics issues. It is a single point of access for information and guidelines on publishing ethics. PERK provides flowcharts to guide editors through processes required to deal with different forms of publishing ethics abuse. Provided by Elsevier.
Sense about science
We are a charitable trust that equips people to make sense of scientific and medical claims in public discussion. With a database of over 5,000 scientists, from Nobel prize winners to postdocs and PhD students, we work in partnership with scientific bodies, research publishers, policy makers, the public and the media, to change public discussions about science and evidence.
Uniform requirements for manuscripts submitted to biomedical journals: writing and editing for biomedical publications
The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors created the Uniform Requirements to help authors and editors in their mutual task of creating and distributing accurate, clear, easily accessible reports of biomedical studies. The initial sections address the ethical principles related to the process of evaluating, improving, and publishing manuscripts in biomedical journals and the relationships among editors and authors, peer reviewers, and the media.
U.S. department of health and human services. Office of research integrity
The Office of Research Integrity (ORI) oversees and directs Public Health Service (PHS) research integrity activities on behalf of the Secretary of Health and Human Services with the exception of the regulatory research integrity activities of the Food and Drug Administration.
U.S. national science foundation. Office of inspector general
Each federal agency has an Office of Inspector General (OIG) that provides independent oversight of the agency’s programs and operations. The office is responsible for promoting efficiency and effectiveness in agency programs and for preventing and detecting fraud, waste, and abuse.

Copyright

Copyright law for librarians and educator
Copyright law for librarians and educators : creative strategies and practical solutions / Kenneth D. Crews.
3rd ed. Chicago : American Library Association, 2012.
Green Library » Information Center: Reference » KF2995 .C74 2012
Copyright Questions and Answers for Information Professionals
Copyright questions and answers for information professionals : from the columns of Against the Grain / Laura N. Gasaway.
West Lafayette, Ind. : Purdue University Press, c2013.
Law Library (Crown) » Stacks 1 » KF3030.1 .G368 2013
Handbook on the economics of copyright : a guide for students and teachers
Handbook on the economics of copyright : a guide for students and teachers / edited by Richard Watt (associate professor of economics and finance, University of Canterbury, New Zealand).
Law Library (Crown) » Basement » K1420.5 .H363 2014
Intellectual property : patents, trademarks, and copyright in a nutshell
Intellectual property : patents, trademarks, and copyright in a nutshell / by Arthur R. Miller, Michael H. Davis.
5th ed. St. Paul, MN : West, c2012.
Law Library (Crown) » Stacks 2 » KF2980 .M52 2012

Copyright : Key documents and websites

Stanford copyright reminder
Many common campus activities involve copyright, and so it is critical that all Stanford faculty, students and staff have a working understanding of copyright law as it impacts their daily lives.  The Stanford University Libraries provide this Copyright Reminder to ensure that all members of the Stanford community have access to that critical information.  The Copyright Reminder highlights common campus copyright concerns, and outlines the fundamental elements of US copyright law that apply in those situations.
Stanford copyright and fair use center
This site includes primary case law, statutes, regulations, as well as current feeds of newly filed copyright lawsuits, pending legislation, regulations, copyright office news, scholarly articles, blog and twitter feeds from practicing attorneys and law professors. Its emphasis is on copyright issues especially relevant to the education and library community, including examples of fair use and policies. Useful copyright charts and tools are continually added to help users evaluate copyright status and best practices. Featured cases include full text of court documents of district court cases that The Center for Internet and Society Fair Use Project is involved with as well as other cases of high interest.
Stanford Research Policy Handbook: Intellectual Property
The Research Policy Handbook is a collection of policies, guidelines and general information related to the research enterprise at Stanford. Chapter 9 includes: 9.1 Inventions, Patents, and Licensing.  9.2 Copyright Policy.  9.3 Administration of Copyright Policy. 9.4 Tangible Research Property. 9.5 Other Intellectual Property: Trademarks, Patents, and Proprietary Information.
Creative commons
Creative Commons is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to making it easier for people to share and build upon the work of others, consistent with the rules of copyright. They provide free licenses and other legal tools to mark creative work with the freedom the creator wants it to carry, so others can share, remix, use commercially, or any combination thereof.

Lab notebooks

Reworking the bench : research notebooks in the history of science
Reworking the bench : research notebooks in the history of science / edited by Frederic L. Holmes, Jürgen Renn, and Hans-Jörg Rheinberger.
Dordrecht ; Boston ; London : Kluwer Academic Publishers, c2003.
SAL1&2 (on-campus shelving) » Stacks » Q225.5 .R475 2003
Research records composed of notes and protocols have long played a role in the efforts to understand the origins of what have come to be seen as the established milestones in the development of modern science. The use of research records to probe the nature of scientific investigation itself however is a recent development in the history of science.
Writing the laboratory notebook
Writing the laboratory notebook / Howard M. Kanare.
Washington, D.C. : American Chemical Society, 1985.
Chemistry & ChemEng Library (Swain) » Stacks » Q180.58 .K36 1985
Discussing the vital aspects of how to make a proper and permanent record of research work, this work goes beyond the mechanical of simply filling in the notebook pages with details on the skills needed to create proper records of research, observations, and results. It helps to increase awareness of what is being done in the lab, and to develop a flexible style of notekeeping that will serve a variety of research environments.
Retention of and access to research data
Published in Stanford's Research Policy Handbook (RPH 2.10), this policy establishes University policy to assure that research data is appropriately recorded, archived for a reasonable period of time, and available for review under the appropriate circumstances.
Suggestions for keeping laboratory notebooks (for legal purposes)
These guidelines were obtained from the University of California, San Francisco and are being reprinted and distributed by Stanford's Office of Technology Transfer with the permission of the UCSF Office of Technology Management.
Data managemnt and laboratory notebooks
"This chapter covers some of the basics: the importance of day-to-day record keeping and good practice for laboratory notebooks, what to consider when developing a system to track and store information, and finding the right data management system for you." Chapter 8 IN Making the Right Moves: A Practical Guide to Scientific Management for Postdocs and New Faculty, 2nd edition, 2006.  By Buroughs Wellcome Fund and Howard Hughes Medical Institute.  Listed on the Resources for the Development of Early-Career Scientists page at HHMI.
Maintaining a laboratory notebook
Excellent but succinct information that includes many practical suggestions for maintaining a lab notebook. By Colin Purrington.
Guide for keeping laboratory records
Two page brochure summarizing best practices for keeping laboratory records. Rockville, MD : National Cancer Institute, Technology Transfer Center, [2009]
Laboratory Notebooks
Suggestions for Keeping Laboratory Notebooks from the University of California at San Francisco. Office of Research.  Office of Information Technology.
Guidelines on research data and reports
From the UCSF Department of Neurological Surgery.

Research data

Data management services @ Stanford

Data Management "The main goal of Data Management Services is to assist Stanford University's researchers with the organization, management, and curation of research data in order to enhance its preservation and access now and into the future. This site will help you create and carry out a data management strategy that will preserve your valuable research data for future sharing and reuse."

Data access and preservation

A data-based assessment of research doctorate programs in the United States
A data-based assessment of research doctorate programs in the United States [electronic resource] / Committee on an Assessment of Research Doctorate Programs ; Jeremiah P. Ostriker, Charlotte V. Kuh, and James A. Voytuk, editors ; Board on Higher Education and Workforce, Policy and Global Affairs, National Research Council of the National Academies.
Washington, D.C. : National Academies Press, 2010.
Stanford University Libraries » Online resource » eResource
Ensuring the integrity, accessibility, and stewardship of research data in the digital age
Ensuring the integrity, accessibility, and stewardship of research data in the digital age / Committee on Ensuring the Utility and Integrity of Research Data in a Digital Age, Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy, National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and Institute of Medicine of the National Academies.
Washington, D.C. : National Academies Press, c2009.
Chemistry & ChemEng Library (Swain) » Stacks » Q180.55 .I45 C66 2009
Long-lived digital data collections : enabling research and education in the 21st century
Long-lived digital data collections [electronic resource] : enabling research and education in the 21st century / National Science Board.
Arlingto, VA : National Science Foundation, [2005]
Stanford University Libraries » Online resource » eResource

Special journal issues devoted to data

NatureNatureScience

Science special issue: Dealing with data
In the 11 February 2011 issue, Science joins with colleagues from Science Signaling, Science Translational Medicine, and Science Careers to provide a broad look at the issues surrounding the increasingly huge influx of research data. This collection of articles highlights both the challenges posed by the data deluge and the opportunities that can be realized if we can better organize and access the data.
Nature special issue: Data sharing
Sharing data is good. But sharing your own data? That can get complicated. As two research communities who held meetings in May on the issue report their proposals to promote data sharing in biology, a special issue of Nature examines the cultural and technical hurdles that can get in the way of good intentions.
Nature special issue: Big data
Coping with floods of data is now one of science's biggest challenges. In this Nature Special, we assess the need to complement smart science with smart searching; look at what the next Google will be; talk to the pioneering biologists who are trying to use wiki-type web pages to manage and interpret data; and recall that the first mass data crunchers were not computers, but the remarkable women of Harvard's Observatory.

Featured data websites

For more resources to find physical properties information, please see Physical Properties for Chemists and Chemical Engineers

Data citation index
Indexes research data, including data studies and data sets, and links them to the scientific literature to track data citation.
DataCite’s list of repositories of research data
DataCite has started to collate a list of repositories for research data, for internal reference and as a resource for researchers looking to deposit and find data. Compiled through the collaborative efforts of the British Library, BioMed Central, and the Digital Curation Centre, the list is a working document and we encourage community participation in its development.
figshare
figshare is a repository where users can make all of their research outputs available in a citable, shareable and discoverable manner.  figshare allows users to upload any file format to be made visualisable in the browser so that figures, datasets, media, papers, posters, presentations and filesets can be disseminated in a way that the current scholarly publishing model does not allow.
NIST Data Gateway
Searchable by specific keywords, properties and substances, the NIST Data Gateway provides easy access to NIST scientific and technical data. These data cover a broad range of substances and properties from many different scientific disciplines. The Gateway includes links to selected free online NIST databases as well as to information on NIST databases available for purchase. You can also search the Journal of Physical and Chemical Reference Data through this Gateway.
SpringerMaterials
SpringerMaterials is based on the Landolt-Börnstein New Series, the unique, fully evaluated data collection in all areas of physical sciences and engineering. SpringerMaterials also comprises the Dortmund Data Bank Software & Separation Technology, a Database on Thermophysical Properties and the Linus Pauling Files, a Database on Inorganic Solid Phases and chemical safety data. This resource is expanded and updated on a quarterly basis and offers advanced search & navigation functionalities.
Wikipedia List of Open Data Repositories
Includes repositories and databases for open data for these subject areas: Archaeology, Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Energy, Environmental sciences, Geology, Geosciences and geospatial data, Linguistics, Marine sciences, Medicine, Multidisciplinary repositories, Physics, and Social sciences (as of 10 October 2011).