On Being a Scientist [Paperback]

National Academy of Sciences (Author), National Academy of Engineering (Author), Institute of Medicine (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0309051967 | ISBN-13: 978-0309051965 | Publication Date: December 1, 1999 | Edition: 2 Sub

Since the first edition of "On Being a Scientist" was published in 1988, more than 200,000 copies have been distributed to graduate and undergraduate science students. Now this well-received booklet has been updated to incorporate the important developments in science ethics of the past 6 years and includes updated examples and material from the landmark volume "Responsible Science" (National Academy Press, 1992). The revision reflects feedback from readers of the original version. In response to graduate students' requests, it offers several case studies in science ethics that pose provocative and realistic scenarios of ethical dilemmas and issues. "On Being a Scientist" presents penetrating discussions of the social and historical context of science, the allocation of credit for discovery, the scientist's role in society, the issues revolving around publication, and many other aspects of scientific work. The booklet explores the inevitable conflicts that arise when the black and white areas of science meet the gray areas of human values and biases. Written in a conversational style, this booklet will be of great interest to students entering scientific research, their instructors and mentors, and anyone interested in the role of scientific discovery in society.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

Since the first edition of On Being a Scientist was published in 1988, more than 200,000 copies have been distributed to graduate and undergraduate science students. Now this well-received booklet has been updated to incorporate the important developments in science ethics of the past 6 years and includes updated examples and material from the landmark volume Responsible Science (National Academy Press, 1992).
The revision reflects feedback from readers of the original version. In response to graduate students' requests, it offers several case studies in science ethics that pose provocative and realistic scenarios of ethical dilemmas and issues.
On Being a Scientist presents penetrating discussions of the social and historical context of science, the allocation of credit for discovery, the scientist's role in society, the issues revolving around publication, and many other aspects of scientific work. The booklet explores the inevitable conflicts that arise when the black and white areas of science meet the gray areas of human values and biases.
Written in a conversational style, this booklet will be of great interest to students entering scientific research, their instructors and mentors, and anyone interested in the role of scientific discovery in society.

About the Author

National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine

Product Details

• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: National Academies Press; 2 Sub edition (December 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0309051967
• ISBN-13: 978-0309051965
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.3 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #227,564 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A valuable resource . . ., March 31, 2000

By 

Paula JP (Maryland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On Being a Scientist (Paperback)

This well-written primer grounds both neophyte and experienced scientist in the culture of Western science as it is today. It explores such topics as values in science, conflicts of interest, assigning of credit, and authorship conventions, meanwhile managing to shed useful light on a whole range of other topics. I would recommend this book to any scientist, science student, or person interested in pursuing the sciences. "On Being a Scientist" fosters interest in the sciences and builds a foundation upon which to become a more informed, responsible, and productive researcher. Additionally, this text could benefit educators, policy-makers, and nonscientists by giving them a window into the pressures and experiences associated with life in the scientific realm.

Without being discouraging or unrealistically sanguine, this concise document lays out the conventions, factors, and shifts of perspective that scientists today need to know about both regarding behavioral expectations within the disciplines and the roles of science and scientist in the public domain. Subtler points of a largely unspoken scientific etiquette are also elaborated, and knowledge of these conventions and expectations can go a long way toward preventing harmful mistakes of omission, misunderstandings, and hard feelings among scientists, colleagues, and student researchers.

Ethically challenging case studies at the end of each section stimulate reflection and discussion on ethical decisions that can be especially fruitful in science or ethics of science courses. In relatively few pages, this book plants a broad spread of ideas and perspectives in the developing scientists' mind. Accounts of scientists' responses to potentially awkward or unethical situations are helpful and extend the range of possible approaches today's scientists might take given similar dilemmas (i.e. credit for pulsars).

Traditional ideas and newer ones meld together for clear, often insightful outcomes. For example, an early chapter plainly states: "Citations are part of the reward system of science." That fact and the importance of reputation have long been a reality in scientific circles. On the other end of the spectrum, one the closing chapters alludes to the limits of science in forming public policies: "But science offers only one window on human experience. While upholding the honor of their profession, scientists must seek to avoid putting scientific knowledge on a pedestal above knowledge obtained through other means." This is definitely a view that has only more recently been acknowledged. Kudos to the National Academy of Sciences for an effective, well-rounded essay on science, scientists, and responsible conduct!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Useful introduction to research standards, December 31, 2010

By 

Doofusdan (Seattle) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On Being a Scientist: A Guide to Responsible Conduct in Research: Third Edition (Paperback)

This book is required for a graduate program I'm in, and it lives up to the title.

If you don't need a paper version, you should know that this publication is also available as a free PDF from the National Academy Press.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Helpful Guide to Ethical Questions in Research, October 25, 2005

By 

EdD Candidate Barbara (Springfield, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On Being a Scientist (Paperback)

The book was brief, to the point and helpful in explaining some of the contemporary ethical questions involved in writing a research article or paper, especially when co-authors are involved. It could be used as a textbook for a class because each section included ethical questions for debate.