|
Title
|
|
* ! Emerging Ethical Issues in Statistical Publishing
|
|
Date / Time / Room
|
Sponsor
|
Type
|
08/14/2002
2:00 PM -
3:50 PM
Room: H-Beekman Parlor
|
Cmte on Professional Ethics, Section on Statistical Consulting*
|
Invited
|
|
Organizer:
|
John S. Gardenier, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
|
|
Chair:
|
William Seltzer, Fordham University
|
|
Discussant:
|
3:25 PM - David Banks, U.S. Department of Transportation
|
|
Floor Discussion
|
3:45 PM
|
Description
This invited paper session is proposed by the ASA Committee on Professional Ethics to take up a set of policy and ethical issues that are currently being discussed both within the ASA and among scientists and the editors of scientific journals more generally. The proposed session would deal with such issues of current concern as the responsibilities of authors of articles published in scientific journals to share data used in the underlying research with others on request and dealing with the various sorts of conflicts of interest that arise in review, editorial and publication processes, as well as perhaps others. The former topic would cover the general responsibility of authors and journal editors in this area as well as protections against possible abuses such as nuisance requests, threats to respondent confidentiality, or attempts to obtain proprietary information, as well as other problems such as the costs of providing the requested data. The subject is addressed in the present ASA ethical guidelines in the following terms "Share data used in published studies to aid peer review and replication, but exercise due caution to protect proprietary and confidential data, including all data which might inappropriately reveal respondent identities."
The broad topic of conflict of interest is addressed in several provisions of the ASA ethical guidelines and ASA publication policies. Potential conflicts arise in such traditional areas as peer review and editorial decisions. Newer concerns have arisen in connection with the review and publication of scientific papers and reports generated by proprietary research, including the possible impact of the financial ties of authors and others associated with the publication process and restrictions imposed on the release of supporting matrials. Also addressed under this topic is the possible influence of advertisers on the publication process.
In addition to general discussion of the ethical and publication policy issues involved in these areas, the session will also provide an opportunity to address and comment on any proposals to modify or supplement existing ASA ethical guidelines or publication policies.
|
|
