Introduction The global educational paradthe igm has evolved from the ancient learning techniques to modernized forms of learning where the quality of education is drawing considerable attention in a bid to produce professionally competent individuals. Undertaking scientific research has been a contemporary learning practice in institutions of higher learninthe g across the world. The need to embrace ethical principles in education is one of the issues that arise when conducting modern scientific research where learners should be ethically grounded to certain principles while undertaking research. Asthe scientific research continues to be an intricate and arduous process, at times, students breach ethical principles of research. This essay explores ethical principles within the professional practice in studthe ents’ specialization while focusing on core ethics that are necessary for doctoral research. Overview (modern doctoral scientific research & ethical principles) The education paradigm grew exponentially, which resulted in the integration of modernized learning techniques that require learners to undertake comprehensive scientific research studies. This contemporary learning practice covers a new generation of researchers, which are integrated into culturally diverse groups with high interaction dynamics due to a rapid globalization process, thus making it a challenge to supervise doctoral students (Ekblad, 2006). While undertaking a doctoral degree, scientific research is essential in the learning practice where learners undertake a comprehensive research investigation on certain areas of study. During the learning process, which involves scientific writing, learners may make unethical mistakes that ruin their learning outcomes (Ekblad, 2006). Doctoral scientific research covers carrying out a literature review, conducting research, and compilation or finalization of the dissertation manuscript. All these processes demand ethical principles that learners should adhere to to meet the educational standards required in research work. Ethical issues in the literature review Ethical issues are paramount in doctoral research work, and literature review is one of the practices that are essential in conducting scientific doctoral research (Tendler, 2013). A literature review is a researching process that entails employing techniques in evaluation and analysis of previous researches concerning the same concept to understand one’s primary findings. In the literature review, learners seek relevant data from prior journals, books, newspapers, and other materials. In the progression of undertaking a literature review, learners get into unethical practices by breaching a continuum of research principles, which affects their professional doctorate research projects (Tendler, 2013). Given that scientific research writing is a complex and demanding process, consciousness and clarity are important aspects, and at the same time, accuracy and integrity are elementary components. Foremost issues that demonstrate serious concerns regarding ethical dilemmas involved in scientific research writing are serious cases of plagiarism, issues of informed consent, adherence to utmost standards of quality, and other ethica