Scientific communication is an aspect of communication that deals with breaking down technical science topics and terms, into simple and understandable words for the public. Scientific language has received less attention from the people in society because of the terms used and the different and complex scientific practices. Ethics plays a big role in scientific communication in the society. Several steps need to be followed by professionals to ensure that ethics and their language is intertwined besides performing their duties. It is also important for professionals to be ethically literate so as to handle all the ethical issues that may arise in their line of work. Ethical language enables bring unity, respect and cooperation among workers and clients.
Scientific communication involves understanding and respecting the different cultural diversities in the society. When one learns about the different languages and cultural practices in the community, they learn on the best way to communicate with others. This enables science communicators be successful in research studies and how they relate with others. For instance, an African American nurse who is assigned to a white patient, is always ethically informed to avoid racial aspects in their conversation with the patient. Additionally, the language used is always common and understood by the patient. If the patient finds it hard to understand English, several mechanisms are applied to ensure they are well informed, like the use of a translator or assigning them to a nurse who understands their native language.
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Additionally, according to (Kansas State University), scientific communication involves positive attitudes and the use of influential language. This type of communication is often aimed at achieving a positive goal, like getting a person to understand a certain issue or solution to a particular problem. An example is when a scientist is conducting a research. They use simple and well explained words in their language. They also point out the benefits of the study and how it might influence the person involved. Another example is in the hospital context. Doctors and nurses have mastered the use of positive and influential language in their conversations with the patients. Encouraging and giving hope to the patients is a good way quickening recovery and giving hope to many patients, especially the ones with acute diseases. A positive attitude is all it takes for one to communicate effectively in their field of expertise.
Besides, scientific communication uses language that shows equality (Kansas State University). In hospitals for example, health workers take care of the patients without any prejudice. Discriminating language based on color, race, nationality, age, disabilities and any form of discrimination is prohibited. Everyone in the organization is treated equally. One common language is used in interactions. Without maintaining one common language and prohibiting discriminating behavior, patients would die of stress, depression and loneliness. Some patients might feel attacked by discriminatory terms in the conversation. Therefore, it is always advised to use general topics when having conversations with people, especially in scientific communication.
Accuracy, trust and being honest are the most important pillars of scientific communication. Due to the growth of scientific technology, many scientists, both professionals and frauds have emerged. This applies to the authors and publishers of scientific researches and articles. Honest and accurate information about various topics in the science context is important to the readers. For instance, writing and publishing wrong information about a particular disease will influence the readers and even make some to lose hope. Additionally, if readers find out that a particular author writes wrong information on several issues, they will not only lose trust in the author, but also in the articles of the author. Also, some authors duplicate other author’s publications which is unethical (Sureda-Negre et al, 2020). Originality of one’s work is emphasized in scientific communication. It also applies in hospitals where ethics enables health workers to always be honest with patients and trust in each other. The language used is always hopeful and positive which makes the patient gain trust in the doctor or nurse. Trust also enables boost the effectiveness of the services provided in the hospital of any scientific field.
Additionally, the language used should be relevant to a specific audience. For example, simple language should be used when having a conversation with children, older people and the illiterate individuals. Simple terms and expounding on the idea will be effective for them. Besides, such a group of individuals do not need written information because they will struggle to understand what is being communicated. Verbal communication is preferred for appropriate informed consent. Also, conversations with the youth should always be different with the adults. This is because, some topics cannot be discussed with adults and vice versa. Youth would prefer topics on what is trending and the new technologies but not politics. Therefore, the content of the conversation should be relevant to given audiences to avoid constrained relationships. However, written communications can apply to individual who are educated and can understand what they are reading.
In attempt to monitor the information the is communicated, the scientific community, through the academic community, encourages mentors and tutors to act as role models to the students who are often engaged in unethical behaviors in scientific communication (Sureda-Negre et al, 2020). Educating students on ethical matters in scientific communication is a good way of dealing with scientific misconduct. Additionally, the scientific community urges self-control in dealing with scientific misconduct. According to Sureda-Negre et al (2020), scientists should be honest with their work and embrace high ethical standards because the community believes in them and also to validate their work.
Additionally, many nations have developed bodies that govern ethics in science. For instance, the Republic of Macedonia adopted the law of Scientific Research with the government appointing ethical committee members, responsible for monitoring how ethical concepts have been applied in a particular scientific research (Donev, 2013). The country also has a platform for checking on plagiarism, on the Ministry of Education and Science website, which enables know if any work has been copied.
Besides, the Croatian Medical Journal is one of the scientific journals that selected editors for to monitor scientific integrity. A committee which included editors from different journals was formed. According to Donev (2013), the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), with the duty of monitoring integrity, giving guidance and looking into plagiarized works. In addition, some scientific fields like the health sector, have come up with strategies to ensure that health workers engage in ethical scientific communications with patients. The scientific community attempts to monitor how health workers conduct their duties in their line of work through supervision and service reports from patients.
In summary, communication is generally important in the community. Ethics enables us make appropriate decisions in what we engage in, and this shapes the community. An ethical scientific communication has several aspects that are needed in order to achieve an equal treatment and respect in the conversation or research. An ethical scientific communication involve understanding ones culture, having a positive attitude, being accurate and honest, choosing a relevant title for a particular audience and avoiding discrimination. Several procedures have been undertaken by scientific communities in countries, to ensure that cases of inaccuracy, dishonesty and plagiarism are brought to attention. Supervisions in health facilities are also on the move to ensure equal and quality services for the people in the society.
References
Donev, D. (2013, December). Principles and ethics in scientific communication in biomedicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3905721/.
Kansas State University. (n.d). https://www.k-state.edu/philos/ethics-science-communication/scientists_public_communication_values.pdf
Sureda-Negre, J., Jones, K. O., & Comas-Forgas, R. (2020). Ethics and plagiarism in scientific communication. Comunicar, 2016, vol. 48.
https://dspace.uib.es/xmlui/bitstream/handle/11201/152473/549574.pdf?sequence=1
