This booklet was written for students and describes some of the basic features of a life in contemporary research and some of the personal and professional issues that researchers will encounter in their work. This booklet divides the decisions that scientists make into two overlapping categories. Much of the first half of the booklet looks at several examples of the choices that scientists make in their work as individuals: the treatment of data; techniques used to minimize bias; and the application of values in judging hypotheses. The second half deals largely with questions that arise during the interactions among scientists: the need to report research results honestly and accurately; the proper distribution of credit for scientific work; and the difficult problem of reporting misconduct. A final section touches upon the social context in which personal and professional decisions are made and details a few of the special obligations that scientists have as members of society at large. There are 25 references listed, each with a brief summary. (YP)