Promoting scientific integrity in nursing research. Part I: Current approaches in doctoral programs.

Schools of nursing with doctoral programs were surveyed to determine current approaches and elicit suggestions for institutional- and professional-level strategies to promote scientific integrity. Results from 38 schools are reported in a two-part series. Part 1 reports findings concerning formal and informal instruction about responsible science and the standards, norms, and guidelines being used to direct scientific inquiry. Information on misconduct and scientific integrity was typically included in required research methods, courses, and optional workshops, but the extent and scope of the instruction was variable, and a majority of respondents judged it to be marginal or inadequate. A high value was placed on informal student-mentor interaction. Where they existed, institutional guidelines were more specific than federal guidelines, but dealt primarily with procedures for handling alleged misconduct rather than for promoting responsible science. Findings suggest the need for a more proactive and consistent approach to promoting scientific integrity in doctoral programs.