Date of Award

5-2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership

Department

Educational Leadership

First Reader/Committee Chair

Yeung, King-To

Abstract

To investigate these issues, this study utilized a quantitative-dominant survey design supplemented by qualitative narratives. The sample included 61 tenured and tenure-track faculty from the College of Natural Sciences and the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. The primary instrument was the Survey on Organizational Research Climate (SOuRCe), which assesses seven subscales of ethical health. Data were analyzed using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression to determine if specific climate dimensions predict the acceptance of ethically ambiguous practices.

Findings revealed that while interpersonal relations and local norms (such as advisor-advisee relations) were rated highly, departmental socialization was the lowest-rated dimension, indicating inconsistent formal training. The regression analysis identified two primary drivers: a "fairness-integrity link," where the perceived fairness of departmental expectations significantly predicted ethical attitudes, and resource accessibility, which acted as a critical buffer. Qualitative data highlighted "time poverty" from high teaching loads as a primary barrier to meticulous research standards.

The study concludes that research integrity is a product of organizational health rather than individual choice alone. As the university transitions toward higher research intensity, it must move beyond narrow administrative compliance to build an "Ethical Academy" where excellence is linked to support. Key recommendations include prioritizing transparency in faculty workloads, shifting toward active learning communities that address modern challenges like generative AI, and investing in permanent funding for research compliance offices.

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