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Again, as I said, not being clear about everything to your funding sources is definitely bad. But the specific outrage doesn't make sense. What does it mean to
by knzhou 7y ago
Again, as I said, not being clear about everything to your funding sources is definitely bad. But the specific outrage doesn't make sense. What does it mean to have a "conflict of interest" and a "financial incentive" when you're doing basic science? Science isn't like working for a corporation or the military. The end goal is to publish your results for the entire world to see.
- greglindahl 7y agoPretty much every scientist who fills out those forms can explain to you what a conflict of interest is. If you work in science, and don't get it, I suggest that you talk to your university ethics office.
- mattkrause 7y agoThe funders are paying for work that isn't being done. Grants usually specific the "percent effort" of key personnel. This not only determines the budget, but also factors into funding decisions. A proposal might be rejected as 'infeasible' if the PI isn't going to spend much time training the students or managing the work. These numbers usually aren't exact--people certainly spend 19 (or fewer) hours per week on things that are nominally 50% effort--but having giant off-the-books projects, like running a whole separate lab--make them completely fictional.
- qtplatypus 7y ago“What is a conflict of interest” is like one of the things that is taught (or should be taught) to everyone going into a research career. I know where I worked there where posters explaining it. However most people I’ve dealt with just use the easy route and disclose all sources of funding.