Evaluating organizational research climate to assess research integrity
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Failure of the scientific research enterprise to adequately define and respond to research misconduct and detrimental research practices constitutes a significant threat to scientific research. Lapses in research integrity erode trust in the scientific process and have serious consequences, potentially reducing funding sources, research subject willingness to participate, and research quality. Few studies have examined the empirical issues surrounding the role of culture and climate in promoting research integrity. This means there is a limited understanding of the organization's role in research integrity and how we can utilize that knowledge to build targeted education interventions and organizational change initiatives. The first aim of this dissertation study was to quantify differences in perceived climate between academic units to measure heterogeneity or homogeneity of research integrity across subunits in a multi university academic system, including a healthcare system. Second, to determine whether the additional pressure of maintaining rankings affect research integrity among universities of a multi-university system that are and are not members of the American Association of Universities (AAU). Using a validated, online survey, SOuRCe, 2,183 participants representing a variety of statuses within the research enterprise across a four-campus university system participated in the study. This study found that the subunit and department/program accounted for more than half of the variance explained in each of the SOuRCe scales. Gender and age impacted the scales while campus and ethnicity did not. Further research with interventions at the department level will help guide change initiatives targeted at specific levels of the organization to promote research integrity.
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Ph. D.