CJUS 745-Discussion Forum2-Reply 1

Reply must be at least 200-300 words. For each thread, you must support your assertions with at least 2 citations from sources such as your textbook, peer-reviewed journal articles, and the Bible. 

Field, A. P. (2018). Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics (5th ed.). Los Angeles, CA: Sage.

**Leon**

  It is vital for Christians to to remove bias from all research and life in general for a plethora of reasons.  According to the word of God, we must search within ourselves to make certain that even the thought or propensity to demonstrate bias must be removed.  “But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Corinthians 4:2, KJV).  Daily, as Christians, we are challenged to represent Christ in everything and in everyway.  This applies to research and life. Moreover, the ethical responsibility we have as researchers should be in direct alignment with the principles set forth throughout the word of God.  I  do not want my integrity to be comprised resulting from manipulating any type of research for my personal advantage.  As Christians, our personal and professional lives must reflect the traits and patterns that exemplify true character and integrity.  It is our responsibility to be examples to the world. “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).

     In general, there is always the potential for anyone to manipulate research or demonstrate bias in research.  Is this because inherently we all have the inclination at times to be bias based on our personal interpretations or how we see things through our personal prism? I would rather hope that when we give our lives to the Lord and begin to live a Christian life that we are consistently empowered by the word of God to do the right thing.  Ekrmecki (2017) asserts that all parties involved in research have the ultimate responsibility to sustain the research integrity and validity of accumulated general knowledge. Another reason it is important for Christians to remove bias from all research is because it alters the true outcome, yielding false results.  It makes it difficult to truly ascertain what’s correct and what isn’t.  Research misconduct is of growing concern within the scientific community; consequently, organizations must identify effective approaches to training for ethics in research (Mecca, Medeiros, Giorgini, Gibson, Mumford, & Connelly, 2016).  

     One way to remove unintentional biases is to examine ourselves within.  “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts, and see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139: 23-24, ESV).  There are times when we do not realize or recognize things that are embedded in our spirit.  As Christians, we must recognize anything that is contrary to the word of God that can negatively impact or influence not only research but life in general. For example, how we treat others.  I am encouraged by the word of God.  “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). 

References

Ekmekci, P. E.  (2017). An increasing problem in publication ethics:  Publication bias and editors’ role in avoiding it.  Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy:  A European Journal, 20(2), 171-178. 

Mecca, J. T., Medeiros, K. E., Giorgini, V., Gibson, C.,, Mumford, M. D., & Connelly, S.  (2016).  Biases and compensatory strategies:  The efficacy of a training intervention.  Ethics & Behavior, 26(2), 128-143.