Update on Research Ethics from Purdue

Hovde Hall, Purdue University

From Inside Higher Education:
"Purdue University announced Thursday that — in part because of a request from a Congressional leader — the institution was continuing its investigation into concerns about the research on “bubble fusion” conducted by Rusi P. Taleyarkhan, one of its professors. The findings have been questioned by others, but an earlier Purdue probe found no misconduct. Thursday’s announcement stated that the university actually started an investigation into new allegations shortly after a faculty panel in February concluded that there was no evidence of misconduct. Based on conversations with Rep. Brad Miller, chair of the House Committee on Science and Technology’s investigations subcommittee, Purdue will now take additional steps, such as adding one or more outside scientists to the review."

In part this case is responsible for even keener interest in research ethics for budding scientists here at Purdue. It will provide some interesting material for discussion of research ethics.