Education at the tertiary level and its narrated research are in an unremitting state to revolutionize where ‘have to’ and ‘anticipations of humankind’ are numerous and increasing day-by-day. Researchers are making constant efforts and pushing hard for discovering new edges in their respective fields. The formal and social role of populace is involved in tertiary education to edify the increased number of students who are socially, economically, and culturally different. Also, there are unexpected outcomes of the acts taken by the researchers in their respective fields which add the responsibility on the research commune to look for vital values, morals, as well as ethics and act accordingly. Regarding the above-said transformation and expansion, research at the tertiary level is beset with various issues in data gathering, coding, and analysis, and of course, the authenticity or veracity of the data collected and reported. Researchers need to deal with and resolve all dilemmas arising from the contextual dynamics of their areas of study interest, demonstrating both accountability and care. The lawfulness, reliability, independence, and autonomy of tertiary education institutions rely on the ethicality of their actions especially in relation to teaching, learning, research and data gathering and analysis access, ensuring that the actions pursued are not only ethically sound and reliable but also flexible reflecting that they have taken cognizance of practical issues involved in the provision of education to a student population constituting a wide range of demographic characteristics. Current reality of research however, if anything, is a far cry from such code of conduct and principles one would expect the academe to follow. Tertiary education institutions demonstrate a clear lack of code of ethics in research, especially in relation the authenticity of the findings reported and other attendant issues and unethical practices like plagiarism. Given the severity of the ethical issues and associated dilemmas that dominate the tertiary education and research scenario, time is bitingly more crucial than ever for appropriate governmental or other regulatory bodies to take cognizance of the severity of issues involved and initiate and implement drastic corrective measures to redeem the research situation. That said, to be on par with developed countries, the one very basic thing we need to do is to improve the quality of education provided at the tertiary level. This paper presents a discussion in some depth about issues such as plagiarism; presentation of fabricated, misleading, unauthentic information; and copyright issues.
Volume 12 | 05-Special Issue
Pages: 816-822
DOI: 10.5373/JARDCS/V12SP5/20201820