entails action by humankind to provide solutions
to societal problems and nurtures curiosity through
organised attempt to conceptualise and understand the
processes through hypothesis testing and answering
questions. Technology on the other hand uses knowledge generated or existing to produce and improve
goods and services. As such science and technology hubs play a pivotal role in driving research and
innovation.
Centres of excellence in scientific and technological advancement have a major role in contributing to
sustainable development through research and innovations. The quality of any research, whether basic or
applied, by and large depends on the process through
which the outcomes are generated (Resnik & Shamoo
2011). Institutions can only gain reputation, value and
public benefit based on the integrity of their research
and innovations. This implies that research and innovation by university faculty and students ought to be
conducted within a framework of integrity. Any deliberate, dangerous or negligent deviations negate the
core values of the research institution. It is for this
reason that ethical aspects of research and innovation
are considered paramount not only from the level of
individual researchers, but also at the institutional governance level. This underscores the important role of
institutional research ethics committees in shaping ethical research innovation and sustainable development.
Researchers and innovators should therefore be guided
by international, national regulations and guidelines.
It also implies that they should have a strong culture
of institutional values and individual responsibility.
In this paper, we highlight the importance of looking at research and innovation through the lens of
integrity and ethical considerations. While focusing
on research ethics in science and technology, we make
reference to innovation in broad sense. For the purpose of this article, we limit the innovation scope to
research and development phases. We reflect on the
importance of carrying out quality research, characteristics of ethical research, the role of research ethics
committees, special considerations in research involving human participants, and governance of research
and associated outputs.
2 QUALITY OF RESEARCH AND ITS
IMPLICATIONS
The public and industry expect researchers and innovators to undertake quality research in an effort to
advance science, technology and innovation. Quality
research is known to be a precursor to quality evidence,
thus, investigators are expected to ensure their study
design, specific objectives, and methods are coherent,
consistent, and justifiable. The characteristics of good
quality and ethical research include use of clear and
specific research questions, sampling methods that
allow representativeness and reduce bias, sound study
design, well-worded tools and consent documents, and
well justified data management and analysis plans.
The research should also have fully described data
collection processes. Evidently, quality research calls
for objectivity, internal and external validity, reliability, rigor, open-mindedness, and truthful reporting
(FOCUS 2005; Wooding & Grant 2003).
Research integrity is an essential element of quality
of research. It is demonstrated through good research
practices such as observance of professional standards
by generating and documenting results, honesty, and
proper storage of primary data (Resnik & Shamoo
2011). Lead scientists in research institutions should
strive to develop standards for research and mentorship. This should be done in such a way that it is
binding for the heads of the individual scientific working units. For instance, primary data which is the
basis for publications should be securely stored for a
period defined by institutional policy. The disappearance of primary data from a laboratory is a violation of
basic principles of careful scientific practice and creates an impression of dishonesty or gross negligence.
Research group leaders are responsible for ensuring
that mentees receive adequate training and supportive
supervision. Healthy communication within a research
group and supportive supervision are best ways to
mitigate against poor quality research and adverse
outcomes such as research misconduct (GRF 1997).
The implications of poor quality research are far
reaching (Schneider 2000). It negatively impacts not
only on the researcher, but also on the institutional
image. Any compromises made in the course of
research affect the expected outcomes with respect to
new knowledge, and by extension a waste of resources
both human (especially time spent) and financial.
It also implies that institutional expectations from
research undertakings are at stake when chances of
research misconduct arise knowingly or unknowingly.
Another effect of poor-quality research is the erosion
of public trust in research findings and innovations.
Poor research mentorship negates the primary role
of knowledge hubs in producing skilled personnel
through research and training. Consequently, it curtails the potential effects of research and innovation in
driving industrial and economic growth.
3 ETHICAL ISSUES IN SCIENTIFIC AND
TECHNOLOGICAL RESEARCH
Advances in science and technology are meant to benefit humanity through returns through social benefits
and justice and by extension contribute to peaceful societies (UNESCO 2018). African Development
Bank points out that research, science and technology is the promise that can spur industrial growth and
development and hence improve the quality of life of
the people of Africa (ADB 2017). However, the returns
to investment in science and technology research can
only be realized if such advancement is viewed in the
context not only on the outcomes to the intended beneficiaries and doing the right thing at every stage. There
are often concerns when investments in science and
12
to societal problems and nurtures curiosity through
organised attempt to conceptualise and understand the
processes through hypothesis testing and answering
questions. Technology on the other hand uses knowledge generated or existing to produce and improve
goods and services. As such science and technology hubs play a pivotal role in driving research and
innovation.
Centres of excellence in scientific and technological advancement have a major role in contributing to
sustainable development through research and innovations. The quality of any research, whether basic or
applied, by and large depends on the process through
which the outcomes are generated (Resnik & Shamoo
2011). Institutions can only gain reputation, value and
public benefit based on the integrity of their research
and innovations. This implies that research and innovation by university faculty and students ought to be
conducted within a framework of integrity. Any deliberate, dangerous or negligent deviations negate the
core values of the research institution. It is for this
reason that ethical aspects of research and innovation
are considered paramount not only from the level of
individual researchers, but also at the institutional governance level. This underscores the important role of
institutional research ethics committees in shaping ethical research innovation and sustainable development.
Researchers and innovators should therefore be guided
by international, national regulations and guidelines.
It also implies that they should have a strong culture
of institutional values and individual responsibility.
In this paper, we highlight the importance of looking at research and innovation through the lens of
integrity and ethical considerations. While focusing
on research ethics in science and technology, we make
reference to innovation in broad sense. For the purpose of this article, we limit the innovation scope to
research and development phases. We reflect on the
importance of carrying out quality research, characteristics of ethical research, the role of research ethics
committees, special considerations in research involving human participants, and governance of research
and associated outputs.
2 QUALITY OF RESEARCH AND ITS
IMPLICATIONS
The public and industry expect researchers and innovators to undertake quality research in an effort to
advance science, technology and innovation. Quality
research is known to be a precursor to quality evidence,
thus, investigators are expected to ensure their study
design, specific objectives, and methods are coherent,
consistent, and justifiable. The characteristics of good
quality and ethical research include use of clear and
specific research questions, sampling methods that
allow representativeness and reduce bias, sound study
design, well-worded tools and consent documents, and
well justified data management and analysis plans.
The research should also have fully described data
collection processes. Evidently, quality research calls
for objectivity, internal and external validity, reliability, rigor, open-mindedness, and truthful reporting
(FOCUS 2005; Wooding & Grant 2003).
Research integrity is an essential element of quality
of research. It is demonstrated through good research
practices such as observance of professional standards
by generating and documenting results, honesty, and
proper storage of primary data (Resnik & Shamoo
2011). Lead scientists in research institutions should
strive to develop standards for research and mentorship. This should be done in such a way that it is
binding for the heads of the individual scientific working units. For instance, primary data which is the
basis for publications should be securely stored for a
period defined by institutional policy. The disappearance of primary data from a laboratory is a violation of
basic principles of careful scientific practice and creates an impression of dishonesty or gross negligence.
Research group leaders are responsible for ensuring
that mentees receive adequate training and supportive
supervision. Healthy communication within a research
group and supportive supervision are best ways to
mitigate against poor quality research and adverse
outcomes such as research misconduct (GRF 1997).
The implications of poor quality research are far
reaching (Schneider 2000). It negatively impacts not
only on the researcher, but also on the institutional
image. Any compromises made in the course of
research affect the expected outcomes with respect to
new knowledge, and by extension a waste of resources
both human (especially time spent) and financial.
It also implies that institutional expectations from
research undertakings are at stake when chances of
research misconduct arise knowingly or unknowingly.
Another effect of poor-quality research is the erosion
of public trust in research findings and innovations.
Poor research mentorship negates the primary role
of knowledge hubs in producing skilled personnel
through research and training. Consequently, it curtails the potential effects of research and innovation in
driving industrial and economic growth.
3 ETHICAL ISSUES IN SCIENTIFIC AND
TECHNOLOGICAL RESEARCH
Advances in science and technology are meant to benefit humanity through returns through social benefits
and justice and by extension contribute to peaceful societies (UNESCO 2018). African Development
Bank points out that research, science and technology is the promise that can spur industrial growth and
development and hence improve the quality of life of
the people of Africa (ADB 2017). However, the returns
to investment in science and technology research can
only be realized if such advancement is viewed in the
context not only on the outcomes to the intended beneficiaries and doing the right thing at every stage. There
are often concerns when investments in science and
12