the videos

Abstract
Kevin, a researcher in the laboratory of Dr. Cornwall, has recently presented a very successful poster session on the effects of an experimental drug on animal behavior. But a more junior laboratory worker, Sandy, becomes concerned about what she believes are discrepancies between what Kevin has reported and what actually occurred during the research. With some hesitation, she voices her concerns to Cornwall, who appears noncommital. During an ensuing conversation between Cornwall and Kevin, a series of flashbacks are intertwined with Kevin's efforts to explain some discrepancies between his reporting of his research and what actually happened. Cornwall listens attentively, questioning Kevin periodically about details of the way he handled certain aspects of the experiments and cautioning him about some of his responses, but in the end still appears noncommittal about Sandy's allegations and Kevin's conduct of the research.

Issues for Discussion
One of the most vexing issues facing scientists and their institutions is how to deal with the possibility of research misconduct, including determining when misconduct has occurred and establishing procedures for reporting and investigating it. Sandy's decision to report her concerns to the laboratory director offers an opportunity to discuss the ambivalence and risks that scientists experience when considering whether to blow the whistle on colleagues, and Cornwall's reaction to her concerns is an occasion for exploring the role of mentors and laboratory chiefs when confronted with questionable research practices in their labs. Also relevant here are the roles of government regulations and institutional policies in dealing with scientific misconduct, and the guidelines those who organize scientific meetings have in place regarding the submission of abstracts and poster sessions. Another issue raised by this case is how changes in a research protocol should be handled in reporting one's findings. Discussion might also consider the ethics of justifying such changes in the face of anticipated results and pressures to publish. The functions that peer review can play in detecting research misconduct is another issue raised by the case. The use of laboratory animals as portrayed in the video should prompt discussion of the importance as well as limitations of animal research for improving human and animal health, and of the various government regulations and professional guidelines in place to promote the responsible use of animals by researchers.

Discussion Questions
1.What do you think about Sandy's decision to inform Dr. Cornwall of her concerns about Kevin's poster? Do you think she might have acted differently if Cornwall and Kevin were co-authors of the poster? How much "evidence" is needed before a scientist should make allegations-informal or formal-of research misconduct?
2.Was Dr. Cornwall's initial reaction to Sandy's concerns about Kevin's abstract appropriate? If not, elaborate on what else he might have said or done at that time. Do his later discussions with Kevin resolve the issue?
3.Upon leaving Dr. Cornwall's office, Sandy appears dissatisfied with his response. What more can Sandy do to resolve the matter? Could she face any risks from blowing the whistle on Kevin? What might be the effects on Sandy, or others similarly situated, if nothing is done by Dr. Cornwall? Who can you talk to when you are uncomfortable with the data or analysis of a colleague or more senior person?
4.In the end, it appears that the data support the conclusions Kevin reported. Should one have any concern, therefore, about Kevin's reporting of his results as he did in the poster? How should he handle the changes in his research protocol when submitting a paper for publication?
5.In a laboratory such as the one in this case, who decides what data should go into a paper for publication? Into a poster for a scientific meeting?
6.What do you think about Sandy's characterization of peer review? To what extent is peer review likely to identify the types of problems to which Sandy referred?
7.What is your impression of Dr. Cornwall as a laboratory director? As a mentor?
8.What responsibilities do scientists have when using animals in their research? Why is it important to manage the use of animals in research? How would you assess Kevin's treatment of the experimental animals? What mechanisms are in place at your institution and elsewhere to ensure that animals are used properly?
9.How would the ethical considerations in this vignette change, if at all, if the work involved the effects of an experimental drug in humans rather than in rats?

Key Terms Defined
Paired t-test:
A statistical analysis that compares two sets of data to determine how similar they are.
Brain Histology:
The microscopic appearance of cells and tissues of the brain.






	Video 5 - The Whole Truth (9 1/2 minutes)
	Abstract Kevin, a researcher in the laboratory of Dr. Cornwall, has recently presented a very successful poster session on the effects of an experimental drug on animal behavior. But a more junior laboratory worker, Sandy, becomes concerned about what she believes are discrepancies between what Kevin has reported and what actually occurred during the research. With some hesitation, she voices her concerns to Cornwall, who appears noncommital. During an ensuing conversation between Cornwall and Kevin, a series of flashbacks are intertwined with Kevin's efforts to explain some discrepancies between his reporting of his research and what actually happened. Cornwall listens attentively, questioning Kevin periodically about details of the way he handled certain aspects of the experiments and cautioning him about some of his responses, but in the end still appears noncommittal about Sandy's allegations and Kevin's conduct of the research. Issues for Discussion One of the most vexing issues facing scientists and their institutions is how to deal with the possibility of research misconduct, including determining when misconduct has occurred and establishing procedures for reporting and investigating it. Sandy's decision to report her concerns to the laboratory director offers an opportunity to discuss the ambivalence and risks that scientists experience when considering whether to blow the whistle on colleagues, and Cornwall's reaction to her concerns is an occasion for exploring the role of mentors and laboratory chiefs when confronted with questionable research practices in their labs. Also relevant here are the roles of government regulations and institutional policies in dealing with scientific misconduct, and the guidelines those who organize scientific meetings have in place regarding the submission of abstracts and poster sessions. Another issue raised by this case is how changes in a research protocol should be handled in reporting one's findings. Discussion might also consider the ethics of justifying such changes in the face of anticipated results and pressures to publish. The functions that peer review can play in detecting research misconduct is another issue raised by the case. The use of laboratory animals as portrayed in the video should prompt discussion of the importance as well as limitations of animal research for improving human and animal health, and of the various government regulations and professional guidelines in place to promote the responsible use of animals by researchers. Discussion Questions 1.What do you think about Sandy's decision to inform Dr. Cornwall of her concerns about Kevin's poster? Do you think she might have acted differently if Cornwall and Kevin were co-authors of the poster? How much "evidence" is needed before a scientist should make allegations-informal or formal-of research misconduct? 2.Was Dr. Cornwall's initial reaction to Sandy's concerns about Kevin's abstract appropriate? If not, elaborate on what else he might have said or done at that time. Do his later discussions with Kevin resolve the issue? 3.Upon leaving Dr. Cornwall's office, Sandy appears dissatisfied with his response. What more can Sandy do to resolve the matter? Could she face any risks from blowing the whistle on Kevin? What might be the effects on Sandy, or others similarly situated, if nothing is done by Dr. Cornwall? Who can you talk to when you are uncomfortable with the data or analysis of a colleague or more senior person? 4.In the end, it appears that the data support the conclusions Kevin reported. Should one have any concern, therefore, about Kevin's reporting of his results as he did in the poster? How should he handle the changes in his research protocol when submitting a paper for publication? 5.In a laboratory such as the one in this case, who decides what data should go into a paper for publication? Into a poster for a scientific meeting? 6.What do you think about Sandy's characterization of peer review? To what extent is peer review likely to identify the types of problems to which Sandy referred? 7.What is your impression of Dr. Cornwall as a laboratory director? As a mentor? 8.What responsibilities do scientists have when using animals in their research? Why is it important to manage the use of animals in research? How would you assess Kevin's treatment of the experimental animals? What mechanisms are in place at your institution and elsewhere to ensure that animals are used properly? 9.How would the ethical considerations in this vignette change, if at all, if the work involved the effects of an experimental drug in humans rather than in rats? Key Terms Defined Paired t-test: A statistical analysis that compares two sets of data to determine how similar they are. Brain Histology: The microscopic appearance of cells and tissues of the brain.