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Openness versus Secrecy in Scientific Research

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2012

David B. Resnik
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Abstract

Openness is one of the most important principles in scientific inquiry, but there are many good reasons for maintaining secrecy in research, ranging from the desire to protect priority, credit, and intellectual property, to the need to safeguard the privacy of research participants or minimize threats to national or international security. This article examines the clash between openness and secrecy in science in light of some recent developments in information technology, business, and politics, and makes some practical suggestions for resolving conflicts between openness and secrecy.

Type
Research Article
Information
Episteme , Volume 2 , Issue 3 , October 2006 , pp. 135 - 147
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2005

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