Aligning Scientific Values and Research Integrity: A Study of Researchers’ Perceptions and Practices in Four Countries

Scientific values are considered to play a significant role in responsible conduct of research education, such as raising awareness, changing cognition, and altering behavior. However, there is still a lack of empirical evidence regarding the relationship between scientists' subscription of scientific values and research integrity behaviors. This paper presents a cross-national study that examines researchers' perceptions and practices regards research integrity. The results show correlations between value adherence, level of acceptance of research misbehaviors, and self-reported research misbehavior. The study also reveals significant variations in these variables among researchers from different countries, academic positions, age groups, and genders. This cross-national investigation offers valuable insights into researchers' attitudes and behaviors regarding research misconduct, contributing to the promotion of ethical research practices worldwide and enhancing the credibility and integrity of scientific endeavors. Further research involving larger samples and more countries would provide deeper insights into the developments in researchers' perceptions of research misbehavior.