PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS UNDERLYING UNETHICAL RESEARCH

Abstract

This study is to cast a light on psychological factors, which force faculty members toward conducting unethical research. Since psychological factors are the key factors to control human behavior, in this paper, they are highlighted as the main purpose of the study. Methodologically, a qualitative approach was applied to reveal the factors. Thematic analysis assisted the researchers discovering the main factors. Ten faculty members were interviewed as to understand the ways that factors could deploy around the phenomenon. By considering Kurt Lewin’s force field theory, the factors were directed based on their iterations. Results show that lack of self-control as a result of faculty members’ self-interest, lack of moral awareness, self-justification, and negative self-image would lead to a paucity of research ethics.