Scientific ethos of researchers and scientific ethos in the ethical codes of universities

Abstract

Scientific research and academia in Poland are undergoing radical change. It is also true about the scientific ethos. In this seminal moment, I want to determine whether scientists and academia uphold the same principles at the foundation of science, whether the scientific ethos differentiates between universities and their legal status and if so, to what degree. The data about the scientific ethos of the scientist are taken from Marzena Feldy’s research; the data about the scientific ethos of particular universities – from their ethical codes of conduct. The analysis shows differences between the scientific ethos declared by the universities and academia. In the ethical code of the universities, the dominant part is the ethos of academic study, whereas, when it comes to the scientist, it is more varied, containing parts of academic, postacademic and industrial codes. The type and legal status of universities do not influence their ethical code.