6. Ethics: Doing Good

Doing good is a fundamental ethical principle in scientific research that requires scientists to strive to maximise the positive impact of their work on people, animals, and the environment.

6.1. Examples

  • Aim to maximise wellbeing for people, animals, and the environment through science.

  • Ensure every investigation has a clear educational or social purpose.

  • Design experiments that help answer real questions that benefit the community.

  • Aim to benefit both humans and animals through scientific research.

  • Conduct animal experiments only when there is a clear and meaningful benefit to justify them.

  • Share findings openly so the wider community can benefit from the research.

  • Choose research questions that address real gaps or needs in society.

  • Apply findings in ways that lead to practical improvements in people’s lives.

Fill in the Gaps β€” Doing Good

Complete the following by filling in the missing verbs.

Word list (A β†’ Z): address β€’ benefit β€’ justify β€’ maximise β€’ share

  1. Scientists should ______________ the positive impact of their work on people, animals, and the environment.

  2. Every investigation should ______________ a real educational or social purpose.

  3. Researchers must ______________ experiments only when there is a meaningful reason to involve animals.

  4. A study should ______________ genuine needs or gaps in the community.

  5. Scientists should ______________ their findings so the wider community can use and build on them.

Reveal Answer Key

  1. maximise

  2. benefit

  3. justify

  4. address

  5. share

Multiple-Choice Questions

Choose the best answer for each question.

  1. Which action best reflects the principle of doing good in scientific research?

    a. Choosing research questions that benefit the community
    b. Avoiding collaboration with other researchers
    c. Repeating studies for practice without sharing results
    d. Designing experiments that have no clear purpose

  1. Why should scientists ensure their investigations have a clear educational or social purpose?

    a. It shortens the data-collection process
    b. It makes the report easier to write
    c. It reduces the number of variables
    d. It helps maximise the positive impact of the research

  1. When is it appropriate to involve animals in scientific research?

    a. When the use of animals saves money
    b. When it is convenient for the researcher
    c. When the sample size needs to be increased
    d. When there is a clear and meaningful benefit

  1. Why should scientists share their findings openly?

    a. To allow the wider community to benefit from the results
    b. To reduce the number of follow-up questions
    c. To make the study appear more impressive
    d. To increase competition between research groups

  1. Which example best demonstrates applying findings for the good of society?

    a. Using findings only for commercial gain
    b. Keeping results within a single institution
    c. Applying results to improve people’s lives
    d. Limiting access to the research
Reveal Answer Key

  1. a β€” Choosing research questions that benefit the community

  1. d β€” It helps maximise the positive impact of the research

  1. d β€” When there is a clear and meaningful benefit

  1. a β€” To allow the wider community to benefit from the results

  1. c β€” Applying results to improve people’s lives