Measuring consensus about scientific research norms

In this paper; we empirically explore some manifestations of norms for the conduct of science. We focus on scientific research ethics and report surve y results from 606 scientists who received funding in 1993 and 1994 from th e Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology of the Biology Directorate of the National Science Foundation. We also report results for 91 administrato rs charged with overseeing research integrity at the scientists' research i nstitutions. Both groups of respondents were presented with a set of scenar ios, designed by fractional factorial methods, describing different kinds o f scientific conduct that in the eyes of some would likely be unethical. Re spondents then were asked to evaluate each of these scenarios for how uneth ical the behavior might be and what kinds of sanctions might be appropriate . We use the responses to consider the nature of consensus around norms rel ated to the practice of science and in particular; similarities and differe nces between scientists and science administrators. Implications for policy are also discussed.