oa Fatsoen moet je doenŽ1

Conduct matters: On rules for scientific integrity1

Discussions of scientific integrity of research in discourse studies (taalbeheersing) should not be limited to experimental research only, for rules for scientific conduct apply to all sorts of research: experimental and observational, quantitative and qualitative, empirical and theoretical. Nowadays, written codes are available that specify simple and clear principles of honesty, carefulness, reliability, verifiability, impartiality, independence, and responsibility. In response to breaches of these principles, Hornikx and Batenburg (2016) make a plea for new rules and practices that pertain to the macro and the micro level of the scientific ecosystem. Their proposals contain further specifications of available rules for what is logically and socially acceptable and thereby suggest that the present codes do not suffice and that new and stricter rules are an appropriate and effective response to transgressions. It might be wise to consider another question first: Do scientists in our discipline take the existing rules sufficiently serious? My answer, derived from my own experience and environment in research and teaching, is negative. Therefore, rather than new rules, we need more interaction with students, PhD’s and colleagues on matters of integrity.