Conference: The 4th 2021 Seoul Asia Pacific Rim Research Integrity (APRI) Network Meeting
Session: Plenary 4: Challenges of Research Ethics/Integrity and RCR Education
Date: 2021-2-25, Thursday (virtual conference)
Host: National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF)
Organizer: Korean University Council of Research Ethics (KUCRE)
Website: http://2021seoulapri.org
Teaser Video: https://youtu.be/G1JLePtEdPw
ABSTRACT | This presentation consists of three parts. First, I will describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the scenes for practical academic ethics (RCR/research integrity) education in Taiwan. In this part, I will introduce the adjustments that were implemented to teaching formats (such as how do face-to-face and online courses complement each other) to comply with the government’s epidemic prevention and control policies. Face-to-face teaching on RCR/research integrity and all teaching at all levels have been fully resumed in the third and fourth quarters of 2020. Therefore, I will describe the epidemic prevention measures that were conducted to secure participants’/students’ health across instructional sites.
Second, I will review a case of plagiarism from the master’s thesis of a Taiwanese mayoral candidate. This accusation was made during the time of a mayoral by-election campaign in 2020. I will focus on the reflections on this case from an RCR/research integrity perspective, including any lessons brought to local academic research and the higher education community. These include any unsolved issues that have been actively studied in recent lessons. Examples include the following questions: what are the specific methods for establishing a quality assurance mechanism for degree theses? what are the methods for effectively detecting improper behavior, such as contract and Internet-facilitated cheating? how can the contract cheating industry and relevant advertisements be detected and then dealt with? and how can the quality and commitment of mentorship relationships be enhanced? While we do not wish to see any cases of integrity breaches in local academic settings, we are grateful to study this case because it offers the opportunity to rethink our current academic ethics education and the issues regarding the higher education system that have not previously been studied in detail. It also enables us to consider potential solutions.
Finally, in the third part of my presentation, I will present a brief overview of the Taiwan Association for Academic Ethics Education (TAAEE), which was only recently established in the middle of 2020. The TAAEE is a non-profit, non-governmental, and professional organization formed by local academic ethics educators and scholars. The society’s philosophy is to join with local teachers, students, and management personnel at all levels (across universities, research institutes, and middle schools) to work collaboratively to deepen the spirit and values of academic ethics in every corner of our campuses.
Recommended citation format (APA): Pan, S. J.-A. (2021, February). Preventing research misconduct through education: The 2020 plagiarism case. Presented at the 4th 2021 Asia Pacific Research Integrity (APRI) Network Meeting, Seoul, Korea [virtual conference]. February 25, 2021. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6352231
Sophia J. Pan, PhD 