The immediate past Dean of the School of Public Health (SPH), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor Samuel Kofi Newton, has stressed the importance of integrity in research and data, noting that ethical lapses can undermine scientific credibility and negatively influence decision-making.
Professor Newton made the remarks while delivering a presentation on ethics and scientific writing at the orientation programme for regular masters and PhD students of the School of Public Health for the 2025/2026 academic year.
Addressing students, he described the task of writing a research paper or thesis as daunting, explaining that even groundbreaking research may face delays, rejection or extensive corrections if it is not properly written.
He noted that weak scientific writing can result in delayed publication or, in some cases, complete rejection of manuscripts and theses.
According to him, scientific writing is a skill that can be learned, adding that clarity, logical organisation and proper structure are essential for effective communication of research findings.
He encouraged students to master the widely used IMRaD structure, Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion, explaining that while the introduction justifies the study and the methods describe what was done, the discussion section remains the most challenging as it interprets findings and outlines their implications.
Professor Newton further emphasised that scientific research is built on trust, urging students to uphold honesty in manuscript and thesis preparation, particularly in accurately stating research designs and analysing data correctly.
He cautioned against research misconduct, including fabrication, falsification and plagiarism, explaining that such practices compromise the integrity of science and can have long-term consequences for academic careers.
He also highlighted various forms of plagiarism, including close paraphrasing, copying without acknowledgement and using others’ ideas without proper referencing, stressing that all sources must be appropriately cited whether quoted directly or paraphrased.
The orientation programme also featured a series of presentations by faculty members aimed at equipping students with academic, administrative and professional guidance.
Topics covered included course registration and examination procedures; administrative issues and student support services; and the structure of the first year of the PhD programme, including core courses, systematic and scoping reviews, scientific writing, presentations and comprehensive examinations.
Other sessions focused on PhD student involvement in departmental programmes, new academic programmes, available resources such as policies, computer laboratories, libraries and laboratories, as well as the past, present and future of the School of Public Health.
Students were also taken through career prospects in public health, alumni engagement, managing supervisory relationships, building professional networks, and expectations of PhD students within the School.
Story & Pictures by: Edith Asravor
