Research Safety and Research Integrity

Research safety in laboratories

                Laboratories provide hands on, minds on learning experience for optimal understanding of complex science concepts. Managing laboratory experiments require preparation, organisation, consistency and diligence.

            Carelessness in laboratories may lead to disaster because you are handling caustic chemicals, open flames and hot glassware. The following are the guidelines to be followed in the laboratory:

1. Create a calm, focussed atmosphere. Make an organised and neat environment. The risk of confusion and accidents decrease when you know where to find equipment and have sufficient room to work. Establish consistent locations for specific pieces of equipment and chemicals.
2. Be prepared. Preparation is a critical step to ensure success and safety in laboratories. Develop skills in lighting a Bunsen burner, using a pair of tongs etc. Learn how to use a fire extinguisher or fire blanket or eyewash station. Should be prepared to respond during emergencies.
3. Wear appropriate clothing’s for laboratory work.
4. Avoid unsafe behaviour.
5. Familiarize with the procedure before beginning an experiment.
6. Provide sufficient time for experiments. The potential for accidents increases when you rush through the experiment.
7. Clean up after an experiment.

Research Integrity

Integrity is the quality of being honest, fair and good. Research integrity includes the traditional ideals of honesty, fairness and compliance with research guidelines and policies, as well as the goal of integrating one’s work as a researcher with one’s broader life experience and values.

For an individual research integrity means individuals commitment to intellectual honesty and personal responsibility. It is an aspect of moral character and experience.

For an Institution, it is a commitment to creating an environment that promotes responsible conduct by embracing standards of excellence, trustworthiness and lawfulness.

Why is research integrity so important?

Research integrity is the commitment to the trustworthiness of the research process by the greater scientific community. It is so important because the greater scientific community can only innovate and flourish when its members function together as a body to ensure a climate that promotes confidence and trust in our research findings, encourages free and open exchange of research materials and new ideas and acknowledges and respects the intellectual contributions of others in the greater community.

What does research integrity require of you?

As a Student researcher you need to do the following:

1. Make thoughtful use of the research time by coming to the lab on time, prepared to work, not fooling around and not leaving early.
2. Learning to use the equipment properly and following the standard operating procedures.
3. Carefully recording all your work.
4. Asking questions about anything you don’t understand, like procedures so that you are safe as well as others are also safe.
5. Sharing your research results with other group members so that everyone can grow in collective wisdom.
6. Respect all research group members by listening to their ideas.
7. Accepting and owning your limitations rather than manipulating, erasing or in any manner altering laboratory data, when you encounter problems.
8. Confronting and not ignoring suspected research misconduct happening around you.

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