When students read, should they be warned if what they're reading has been exposed as a hoax? The recent resignation of disgraced Emory professor and author Michael Bellesiles has provoked much discussion about academic honesty. I haven't been covering the Bellesiles scandal, because it falls too far from the issue of standardized testing, but I do believe that the investigation of Bellesiles, and his subsequent resignation, represent a return to high research standards and a refusal to accept shoddy research that furthers a politically-correct agenda. An editorial in the Emory Wheel sums it up best:
If Bellesiles did find the environment at Emory hostile, he has only himself to blame. Throughout the controversy, Bellesiles repeatedly made conflicting and misleading claims to the media, as well as to those who openly criticized him. His defenses and evidence were consistently erratic, and only furthered the skepticism of those following the case. He also claims the scope of the committee's investigation was too narrow, and that his main thesis still holds true despite the errors found in a minor part of his research.
By making this claim, Bellesiles is skirting the real issue. It doesn't matter now if the argument in Arming America is valid -- it matters that he has lied numerous times in defending his book. It's unfortunate that Bellesiles, who is a talented, brilliant writer and scholar, will have his reputation marred by his evasive statements.
The investigation, and Bellesiles' subsequent resignation, should be a reminder to the Emory community that academic research is, above all, about searching for the absolute truth. That's what our professors teach students every day. We should expect the same from them.
Posted by kswygert at October 29, 2002 11:17 AM