Professionalism In Zoology

Many aspects of professionalism are fairly straightforward. Arrive to work on time, maintain appropriate behavior, perform duties in a timely and efficient manner. Careers in certain specialized fields typically lead to more unique requirements. Professionalism as it pertains to those working in the field of zoology, the study of animal biology, behavior, and distribution, requires a high level of dedication and attention. While zoologists still need to abide by the aforementioned standards like any other career path, special considerations in addition to those listed are also required due to the nature of the work. In order to further scientific knowledge and aid in conservation efforts, those who pursue a career in zoology must maintain
A primary component to this includes scientific integrity. Scientific integrity protects advancement and discovery from outside interference, misrepresentation, plagiarism, and bias. Zoological research pertaining to issues such as medical advancement or environmental protections frequently involve political affiliations, large corporations, and public scrutiny. Scandals regarding scientists taking bribes from lobbyists, eschewing protocol, and falsifying data in order to protect profitable industries have surfaced many times throughout the years, and zoologists are just as capable of being targeted. Many business ventures have a direct and markedly negative impact on animals. Look at the palm oil industry and declining orangutan populations. Review the many devastating effects of plastics on marine life. These are all cases of highly profitable business ventures that are damaging wildlife populations for financial gain. So what are those responsible left to do when regulatory agencies begin to take a closer look? Find scientists that will offer up research to protect what they are doing and keep the business on track. The North American Model for Wildlife Conservation, which provides guidelines to hunting procedures in the U.S. and Canada, was recently found to be highly lacking in scientific basis, which has led to hunting regulations that are potentially harmful to wildlife in the region (Artelle et al.). Another facet of scientific integrity is how research and discovery are relayed to the media. Honesty, transparency, and accuracy are vital to an institution’s trustworthiness. Many science-focused organizations have designated public relations departments specifically for this reason. Each of which have a set of standards and regulations regarding the release of