Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
YUKSEKOGRETIM DERGISI, cilt.3, sa.2, ss.97-108, 2013 (ESCI)
This is a qualitative study with a holistic case design. The purpose of this study was to analyze and to present data in details related to the opinions of graduate students about unethical behaviors in the scientific studies. The sample of the study consisted of 7 voluntary graduate students doing their Master of Science at Educational Sciences in 2011-2012 academic years. A non-probability sample, which is a purpose sampling strategy, was used. Data were collected with face to face individual interviews and document analysis and were analysed by using content analysis technique. Data analysis process was aided by the use of a qualitative data analysis computer program called NVIVO 9.2. As a result of the findings of the study participants admitted that instructors and they performed unethical behaviours such as plagiarism, having others do their scientific studies, not checking reality of the information, manipulating research data and making use of their feminine gender. The reasons why they performed unethical behaviors were cutting corner, lack of time, intensity of over-work, being promoted in academic career, laziness, unconsciousness, inadequate guiding, the acceptance of unethical studies and self-inadequacy. Those unethical behaviors were thought to be harmful for science as hindering the development of science, not trusting in science, lack of time and money. In order to overcome such kind of unethical behaviors, participants put forward suggestions such as building up ethical consciousness, punishment, questioning, building up ethical boards, decreasing intensity of work, distinguishing in duties, organizing controlling mechanisms, decreasing the time in publication procedures, using software to avoid, abolishing misperceptions in the production of knowledge, doing studies based on their own interests, making one give up selfishness and peer review.