Dr. Wilkins has a modest research program supported by a grant from a local foundation. Wilkins brings a personal check for $3,000 into the office of Mr. Cole, the departmental administrator, and says that it is a gift which may be used by the department at the discretion of the chair. When Mr. Cole consults with Dr. Vaughn, he learns that Dr. Vaughn and Dr. Wilkins have already discussed this arrangement. Dr. Vaughn says she has agreed to let Dr. Wilkins spend this money as it will help him strengthen his research program to the point where he'll be able to successfully compete for federal grants. Over the course of the next several months, Dr. Wilkins uses some of the money to purchase a new computer and printer which he installs in his home. He uses the remainder of the money to attend a meeting in his research field. At the end of the year, Dr. Wilkins donates $5,000 to the department. Over the next several months he uses this money to attend two other meetings and to pay for several subscriptions to scientific journals, and to an electronic database subscription.

Questions: 

  • What are the potential conflicts of interest here?

  • What should Mr. Wilkins do?

http://research-ethics.org/topics/conflicts-of-interest/#discussion



Last modified: Tuesday, 12 March 2019, 2:01 PM