OB Community Guidelines

HELP US MAINTAIN A COLLABORATIVE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY

OB seeks to advance chemistry education through innovative teaching methods and open access to scientific resources. Our platform provides free educational materials to help educators and students overcome traditional classroom limitations. This community welcomes all who share our commitment to scientific integrity and collaborative learning in chemistry.

OB was founded on these core principles:

For the benefit of science education:

We prioritize improving chemistry pedagogy over promoting any individual, institution, or commercial interest.

Fostering scientific curiosity:

We aim to excite diverse learners about chemistry through materials that explore various chemical concepts, experimental approaches, and research methodologies while maintaining academic rigor.

Evidence-based neutrality:

We represent all scientifically valid perspectives in chemistry. When contributing content or participating in discussions, please adhere to our code of conduct:

Behavioral Standards

• Professional Conduct: Maintain respectful, collegial interactions. Scientific debate should never become personal.
• Inclusive Approach: Respect diverse educational backgrounds and cultural perspectives in our global chemistry community.
• Zero Tolerance for Harassment: Discriminatory behavior, bullying, or inappropriate speech will not be tolerated.
• Safety First: Never share unsafe or untested chemical procedures. All experimental content must include proper safety protocols.

Content Standards

By contributing to OB, you agree to our Terms of Service. Note that:

• OB is not a publisher - contributors are responsible for content accuracy
• Administrators review for format, safety, and appropriateness
• We may suggest improvements or decline submissions
• You must own or have rights to all submitted materials

Discussion Forum Guidelines

• Scientific Relevance: Keep discussions focused on chemistry education and research.
• Academic Focus: Avoid ideological debates - maintain scientific objectivity.
• Proper Attribution: Always credit sources and avoid plagiarism.
• Safety Consciousness: Flag any potentially hazardous content.

Prohibited Content

Do not share materials that:

• Contain unsafe chemical procedures
• Promote pseudoscience or non-peer reviewed claims
• Violate intellectual property rights
• Include commercial promotions
• Contain false/misleading chemical data
• Include harmful software
• Are offensive or discriminatory

Violation Consequences

Report guideline violations to OB administrators. Serious breaches may result in:

• Content removal
• Temporary suspension
• Permanent banning

Contact: community@ob.org