Case Study on Being a Scientist

Reaction Paper: Case Studies on Being a Scientist “On Being a Scientist” is a well-written informative guide that can be used as primer grounds for beginners and professionals. It is a very useful tool for students like me who likes to pursue the dream of becoming a successful scientist someday. Topics on responsibilities of scientists, values and ethics in science, advising and mentoring, research misconduct, laboratory safety, authorship and the allocation of credit, conflict of interests, the behavioural expectations within the disciplines and the roles of scientist in the society were briefly but concisely presented. The knowledge I got here is exactly a building foundation that can lead me to my success in the scientific world.
Moreover, the elaboration of unspoken scientific etiquette is especially the one thing that I find extremely useful, even outside the scientific community. Knowing about these situations can prevent misunderstandings and hard feelings among teachers and students. I remember in high school when our research adviser hasn’t spoken with us for one whole week for no reason at all. Now, I know better. Maybe she is just testing us on taking the responsibility in approaching her with or without questions or problems to consult, just merely updating her with the status of our research. Respect for our adviser is essential, not to look at her as a mere consultant but as a mentor.
Of course, falsification, fabrication and plagiarism are fundamentally immoral. These are basic forms of cheating and as stated in the student code, cheating is punishable by expulsion. After graduation, these forms of cheating are already considered a crime and can put one into jail.
Furthermore, “On Being a Scientist” presents ethically challenging case studies as a further reflection for us. These awkward situations can sometimes cause a downfall for a scientist thus calls for a serious action. On the subsequent pages, I shall give my opinions and insights on