Ethics in Research: Analysis of Unethical Cases and Implications for Library and Information Science

Abstract

This article examines some selected cases of unethical practices and administration of research. Three research objectives were raised as  follows: to examine the nature of ethical issues in research; to analyse unethical cases in research and to proffer recommendations that  will enhance ethical issues in research. The article adopted an exploratory research design. Secondary data were obtained using a desk  review of existing literature on unethical cases in research. Emphasis is given to the qualitative analysis of case study discussions on the different dimensions of unethical research practices. Findings revealed the following unethical issues in research: Co-authorship  Conflicts, Privacy and Confidentiality, Pirated Ideas for Research, Withholding Study Purposes, Abeg Add My Name and Plagiarism. It is, therefore, recommended that Ethical considerations should guide scholars in every circumstance to balance the demand for moral  principles of research, authors should build ethics into daily routines, research and the workplace, Authors should be familiar with legal  and institutional frameworks that exist and be conscious of ethical obligations to all stakeholders.As a matter of justice, unethical  investigators should not be rewarded by having the data from their studies used. Punishment should be visited upon such investigators  who engaged in unethical research. These may include; rejection and retraction of publication and withdrawal of funding.