HSCI 705 Research Pressure Assignment

Liberty University

HSCI 705

31/10/2022

Research Pressure

Introduction

Pressures are “any form of tension, stress or force” and typically affect someone’s thoughts, feelings, behavior, and motivation. When a person feels pressure from a significant source, their personality might change (Dumas,2021). They might become more discomfited with moral dilemmas or suffer from stress. This doesn’t seem right. A related verse from The Bible can be found in Hebrews 13:17, which states, “Celebrate with wine,” it also states, “Be patient until you reach eternal life. Wait for it without becoming impatient.”

An ethical dilemma is “a conflict between one’s character (moral principles or conscience) and what is permitted by the circumstances.' For academic researchers to practice their profession with integrity, they must be prepared to take risks and withstand ethical dilemmas during the research process (Colnerud,2019). Therefore, understanding each stage of a research project and the decisions made during each stage allows the researchers to make wise decisions based on their research evidence. However, when researchers fail to understand the ethical implications of their decision-making process, they could place themselves in a very difficult situation. The apostle Paul is quoted as saying in Romans 13:2, “be subject for the

Lord’s sake” Scholars have reinterpreted this scripture to mean, “Obey all legitimate authority.” These situations are commonly known as ethical dilemmas. Examples of sources of pressure are the lack of time available to research, lack of funding for research projects, etc., fear of not being able to find the answers needed, or not having enough data to answer these questions, which can lead to ethical dilemmas.

Body

Pressures are often associated with an academic researcher’s career goals, personal expectations, and institutional responsibilities. This pressure can sometimes lead to ethical dilemmas. The sources are diverse and can be found in the following categories:

•      career pressures

•      personal pressures

•      extramural pressure

•      institutional pressure

•      scientific community pressure

•      conflicts of interest between private industry and academia.

The most common approach for resolving ethical dilemmas is exploring policies that help manage these conflicts of interest. Various policies might help avoid conflicts of interest, including contracts, conflict of interest disclosure forms, confidentiality agreements, release for services agreements, faculty handbooks on research integrity evaluation process guidelines, and data use agreements.

Career pressures are defined as pressures that may push an academic researcher to produce research that meets the needs of their employer, department, or university. The pressure to meet an administrator’s or institution’s requirements can often be powerful. It may lead academic researchers to make decisions that compromise the integrity of their research. A bible verse that can specifically relate to an academic researcher’s role and pressure is Luke 12:48. When Jesus was asked a question about tax collection that directly impacted his disciples, he responded with, “render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.” Career pressure is a source of pressure that may lead to ethical dilemmas. Professionally, there are different levels of pressure that a researcher can experience. The academic researcher can experience professional pressure from their academic advisor and department chair. There is also pressure from students who want the academic researcher’s advice on certain issues, such as choosing a specific major and pursuing certain career goals. More often than not, these pressures may be subtle. However, they influence an academic researcher to take action or make a decision that may compromise their integrity as an educator or put their career in danger. The dominant influence of career pressures is to move researchers along in their careers, and this often means moving them away from welfare concerns. In general, this imbalance leads to the greater use of animals in the name of science, even though many alternatives exist.

Personal pressures might lead academic researchers to make unscientific decisions or compromises regarding their research. Personal pressures can also be defined as conflicts between an individual’s conscious and unconscious wishes and impulses. These pressures may stem from friends and family who expect a certain level of success from a researcher. It may also stem from a researcher with tremendous expectations of their career. These pressures may not be recognized by the academic researcher immediately but once recognized, they can have serious

implications for an academic researcher’s career aspirations. Numerous studies have shown that researchers are less likely to publish if they are in a family of high-achievers, under pressure from parents and teachers, or sexually harassed by a superior.

Extramural pressure is the pressure of funding organizations such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), etc. These funding agencies put significant pressure on academic researchers to produce research that can be used towards certain goals and objectives, which may compromise their belief system or personal values and compromise an academic researcher’s ability to make ethical decisions (Ngozwana,2018).

            Pressure from within an institution is defined as pressures that stem from within an academic institution. This can include pressures from those who have authority over a researcher’s appointment, promotion, and tenure decisions. Institutional pressure can also be defined as the pressure from those who serve on committees such as the research review committee responsible for approving or disapproving funding requests or research proposals. Another type of institutional pressure comes from institutional policies and procedures established by a university or other institutions where an academic researcher works. These policies are often supported by regulations that require compliance with the letter of these laws, despite their questionable ethical value in many cases.

Pressure from the scientific community is defined as pressures that stem from scientists who work within a specific field of science. Pressure may be derived from individuals with fame or prestige within their scientific community and those who have achieved significant accomplishments. These pressures may come from numerous sources, but they often experience much pressure to perform at an acceptable level or risk losing credibility or becoming obsolete.

The lack of recognition can result in the loss of grant funding for small research organizations.

Pressure can also come from teachers and employers who expect some level of success.

Pressure from conflict of interest between private industry and academia is defined as the pressure that stems from the conflict of interest between private and corporate entities who employ academics to conduct research and those whom such corporations hire to conduct research for the benefit of those corporations. This kind of pressure can be defined as pressure that is placed on academic researchers to compromise their own belief system, integrity as an educator or personal values for the benefit of their employer. This type of pressure can be defined as situations where there is a difference in opinion between science or academic researchers and the private corporations that employ them.

The best way to combat personal pressures is to make it a habit to self-monitor one’s own ethical behaviors. By becoming aware of the pressures one is under and considering the consequences of those pressures can help to overcome these personal pressures. Also, making time to think about decisions and the possible consequences of those decisions can help a researcher reach the best decision.

Combatting career pressures involves forming an alliance with other academics who are already doing work that is consistent with one’s belief system. By forming a trust or partnership with other researchers who share the same belief system can help support one’s own belief system and make decision that are consistent with those beliefs. Also, by supporting a community of academic researchers who share similar goals and values can help to combat professional pressures.

Institutional pressures are countered by encouraging research and faculty that are consistent with one’s own belief system. Institutions that are consistent with one’s own beliefs will not put an academic researcher under the same pressures (Delmas,2022). Also, institutes that encourage academic freedom and research in areas that are consistent with one’s own belief system can help combat institutional pressures.

Extramural pressure is combatted by informing anyone who has the power to fund one’s research of one’s personal beliefs. These persons may be considered a threat to a researcher’s ability to continue with the research they wish to do. Instead of informing these persons, a researcher should instead inform other colleagues, journal editors or funding agencies. In order for an academic researcher to get funding from extramural sources, there is always the possibility that pressure from other researchers, corporate or political entity may be brought upon them. By informing potential funding sources that one does not wish for extramural pressure can help prevent such pressure and keep extramural grants from being withheld.

Combatting science community pressures entails becoming a part of the science community. This can be done by attending conferences, publishing and joining scientific societies that are in line with one’s own belief system. These institutions provide support for researchers who share similar values and goals. By participating in research projects with other researchers who share similar goals and beliefs will help to combat pressures from the science community.

Pressure from conflict of interest between private industry and academia is combatted by examining whether the benefits of such pressure outweigh the ethical consequences that are associated with those pressures. By doing this assessment prior to accepting pressure can help determine whether the acceptance or non-acceptance of those pressures would be in one’s best interest.

Conclusion

In conclusion, in all research there will always be the possibility of pressures that will be placed upon an academic researcher. Being aware of the pressures being placed upon a researcher and the effect that such pressures can have on one’s values and beliefs can help one to combat professional, institutional and scientific pressures (Radder,2020). Also, keep it in mind that the acceptance of certain pressures in exchange for the benefits that such pressures may bring to an academic researcher may not be in one’s best interest.

References

Dumas, T. L., & Sanchez-Burks, J. (2021). The professional, the personal, and the ideal worker: Colnerud, G. (2019). Ethical dilemmas in research in relation to ethical review: An empirical

study. Research Ethics, 10(4), 238-253.

Ngozwana, N. (2018). Ethical dilemmas in qualitative research methodology: Researcher’s reflections. International Journal of Educational Methodology, 4(1), 19-28.

Delmas, M. A., & Toffel, M. W. (2022). 10. Institutional pressure and environmental management practices. Stakeholders, the environment and society, 230.

Radder, H. (Ed.). (2020). The commodification of academic research: Science and the modern

university (pp. 231-58). Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press.