Code of Ethics

Our Commitment to Integrity in Research

At Ramanujan Lab, we uphold the highest standards of research integrity. This code of ethics guides all our work and serves as a commitment to truth, respect, and responsible scientific inquiry.

Integrity First

Commitment: All research must be conducted with complete honesty. We have zero tolerance for fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism.

Practice:

  • Present data truthfully without manipulation or selective reporting
  • Properly cite all sources and give credit to others' work
  • Report methods accurately so others can replicate findings
  • Acknowledge errors promptly and correct them transparently

Intellectual Humility

Commitment: We acknowledge what we don't know. Uncertainty is not weakness—it's the foundation of genuine inquiry.

Practice:

  • Clearly state the limitations of our research
  • Distinguish between what we know, what we think, and what we don't know
  • Welcome constructive criticism and alternative viewpoints
  • Remain open to revising our conclusions based on new evidence

Open Collaboration

Commitment: Knowledge belongs to humanity. We encourage open sharing of methods, data, and findings while respecting intellectual property rights.

Practice:

  • Publish research using open-access platforms whenever possible
  • Share methodologies and data to enable replication
  • Collaborate generously across disciplines and institutions
  • Respect confidentiality agreements and intellectual property

Respect for All

Commitment: Every researcher, regardless of background, deserves dignity and respect. We foster an inclusive environment free from discrimination.

Practice:

  • Treat all community members with respect and professionalism
  • Value diverse perspectives and backgrounds
  • Prohibit harassment, discrimination, or bullying of any kind
  • Create a welcoming environment for all who share our values

Safety & Responsibility

Commitment: All experiments must prioritize safety—for researchers, communities, and the environment. We follow established protocols and ethical guidelines.

Practice:

  • Follow all applicable safety regulations and protocols
  • Obtain necessary approvals before conducting research
  • Consider the environmental impact of our work
  • Ensure informed consent for all human subjects research
  • Treat all research subjects (human, animal, environmental) ethically

Merit Over Credentials

Commitment: We evaluate ideas based on their scientific validity, creativity, and potential impact—not on the degrees or affiliations of those who propose them.

Practice:

  • Judge research proposals on their merit alone
  • Welcome researchers from all educational backgrounds
  • Provide mentorship based on need, not credentials
  • Recognize that talent and insight can emerge from anywhere

Duty to Truth

Commitment: Our commitment is to discovery, not to predetermined outcomes. We follow evidence wherever it leads, even when it contradicts our expectations.

Practice:

  • Design experiments to test hypotheses fairly
  • Report negative results as well as positive findings
  • Avoid cherry-picking data to support desired conclusions
  • Distinguish between correlation and causation
  • Be willing to abandon theories that don't match evidence

Violations & Accountability

Reporting: Any suspected violations of this code should be reported to the Lab's ethics committee at ethics@ramanujanlab.org.

Investigation: All reports will be investigated promptly and confidentially. We protect whistleblowers from retaliation.

Consequences: Violations may result in:

  • Mandatory ethics training and supervision
  • Suspension of research privileges
  • Termination of association with Ramanujan Lab
  • Retraction of published work
  • Reporting to relevant authorities where appropriate

Our Pledge

Every member of Ramanujan Lab—researchers, mentors, staff, and administrators—pledges to uphold this code of ethics. We commit to conducting research with integrity, treating all with respect, and pursuing truth above all else. In doing so, we honor the spirit of Srinivasa Ramanujan and all who seek knowledge for its own sake.

Join Our Ethical Research Community

By applying to Ramanujan Lab, you commit to upholding these ethical standards in all your research activities.

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