PHBA8100 Research ethics and professional standards Course description

General admission requirements for the Ph.D. Degree in Behavior Analysis

Students will be able to:

• describe and discuss the values and rules of behavior analysis through primary and secondary source writings on ethics and professional issues (e.g., submitting or reviewing original research)
• describe and discuss professional codes of conduct relevant to specific fields of work in behavior analysis
• describe and discuss the application of these value systems and professional codes to their own clinical, educational, and research activities
• follow the guidelines set down in the APA Publication Manual when publishing scientific work and when participating in public discussions
• exhibit honesty, objectivity, integrity, carefulness, openness, respect for intellectual property, confidentiality, responsible publication, responsible mentoring, respect for colleagues, social responsibility, non-discrimination, competence, legality, animal care (if relevant), and human subjects protection
• describe and discuss institutional review board processes and human subjects research guidelines
• describe and discuss the logic and ethical application of single-subject and traditional group designs

The course consists of 1 introductory meeting, 6 - 12 seminars of 4 x 45 minutes, and a final seminar (4 x 45 minutes). The introductory meeting takes place 2 weeks ahead of the main part of the course. At this meeting, the structure, content and purpose of the course are presented. The students are asked to give short presentations of their Ph.D. projects, and describe how the course is relevant to it. The main purpose of this early session is to help the students to start systematic work with the course readings.

The seminars target central themes from the course readings for discussion and reflection. A high level of student participation is expected. During this time, students will produce several reaction papers (3 - 4 pages double spaced), and a final presentation of one central theme from the course. Themes are assigned by the lecturers.

The final seminar consists of a discussion of the presentations, which are distributed in advance as papers not to exceed 10 pages double spaced, and introduced by each candidate in a short (3 minute) session. Course teachers mediate the discussions.

• All papers approved,
• attendance in at least 80 % of the seminars, and
• approved paper presentation in final seminar.

After completing the programme, the candidate is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The candidate

• has broad knowledge of and insight into various educational, social, economic, political, and ecological dynamics, in relation to questions of international development in the Global South.
• has in-depth knowledge of and is capable of applying social science research methodology.
• has knowledge of how issues in the broad field of international education and development can be analysed, and is capable of critically assessing the history, traditions, and practices of disciplinary perspectives within the interdisciplinary field.

Skills

The candidate

• is capable of applying and analysing multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches to studies of international development, education, and sustainabilities.
• is capable of critically analysing and assessing various issues linked to the relationship between education, development, and sustainabilities, and of conducting research studies of relevant connections across these fields.
• is capable of contributing to the research knowledge base within these fields.
• is capable of developing and articulating informed, and critically reflective, statements about relevant issues and topics addressed in the program.

General competence

The candidate

• is capable of analysing relevant academic issues and undertaking advanced work tasks and projects related to the interdisciplinary field of study.
• is capable of disseminating their own research in written and oral form, in accordance with relevant academic forms and standards.
• is capable of contributing to innovation and development in their particular area of study.

The master's degree programme consists of five common courses that address the need for a coherent foundation in international development, education, and sustainabilities.

Courses 1 – 5 are common to all students. All classes are taught in English, and all coursework requirements and assessment tasks, including the written master’s thesis and oral examination, are to be completed in English.

• Course 1, first semester: FLKM4110 Introduction to International Development, Education, and Sustainabilities 15 ECTS Credits.
• Course 2, first semester: FLKM4210 Knowledge production and the Global South, 15 ECTS Credits.
• Course 3, second semester: FLKM4310 Struggles for justice and equality in international development, education, and sustainabilities, 15 ECTS Credits;
• Course 4, second semester: FLKM4410 Research Methodology, 15 ECTS Credits.
• Course 5, third and fourth semester: FLKM5000 Master's Thesis, 60 ECTS Credits.

Progress requirements

Students must have passed all of the courses in the first year of their study programme (FLKM4110, FLKM4210, FLKM4310, and FLKM4410) before they can commence the course FLKM5000.

In very special cases and by application, partial deviation from these requirements may be considered.

The programme is organised as a two-year, full-time, programme of study. The master’s degree programme emphasises independence, process and progress. Therefore, teaching varies between lectures, seminars, presentations and supervision. Student active learning and discussions in large or small groups are central, as well as writing essays/scholarly papers. Project descriptions of the master’s thesis are prepared and presented at thesis seminars in the second semester. The independent research project is carried out in the second year under academic supervision.

Students are encouraged to be open and humble in relation to new fields of knowledge. By challenging students to use their own experience, different theoretical frames of reference, and place perspectives in new contexts, the programme will help to enhance the visibility and value of focusing on the relationship between education, international development, and sustainabilities. The programme’s interdisciplinary approach will make the students proficient at understanding and analysing specific topics in a broader and interdisciplinary context.

The study programme focuses on international phenomena, systems, and relationships, and the study environment is international with students recruited from all over the world. The composition of the student group and the fact that classes are taught in English help the students to gain international experience and international perspectives.

In addition to the international academic environment throughout the programme, the students are encouraged to conduct fieldwork in the Global South, if feasible and appropriate, and to include an explicit Global South (North-South dynamic) dimension in their research project. International fieldwork may also be combined with a study exchange stay at a university abroad, where appropriate.

A variety of assessment activities are scheduled as formative ‘work requirements’ and summative assignments and exams. Specific information is provided in the individual course descriptions.

Rights and obligations in connection with exams

The students' rights and obligations are set out in the Regulations Relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet. The regulations describe, among other things, the conditions for resit/rescheduled exams, the right to appeal and what is considered cheating in an exam. It is the students’ responsibility to register for any resit / rescheduled exams.

Grade scale

A, Excellent: The candidate demonstrates sound analytical understanding. The candidate demonstrates excellent knowledge and an excellent overview of the academic content of the course. The candidate demonstrates excellent skills in applying this knowledge.

B, Very good: The candidate demonstrates very good analytical understanding. The candidate demonstrates very good knowledge and a very good overview of the academic content of the course. The candidate demonstrate very good skills in applying this knowledge.

C, Good: The candidate demonstrates analytical ability and understanding. The candidate demonstrates good knowledge and a good overview of the academic content of the course. The candidate masters the application of this knowledge.

D, Satisfactory: The candidate demonstrates a certain degree of analytical ability and understanding. The candidate demonstrates some knowledge and a certain overview of the academic content of the course. The candidate masters the application of this knowledge to a certain extent.

E, Sufficient: The candidate demonstrates some insight into the academic content of the course, but the candidate's insight is incomplete and characterised by limited insight into connections in the course. The candidate masters the application of this knowledge to a limited extent.

F, Fail: The candidate demonstrates large and obvious gaps in the academic content of the course. The candidate demonstrates little insight into connections in the subject. The candidate demonstrates little ability to apply this knowledge.