PHDPR9110 Research Ethics Course description

Research ethics concerns the responsible execution of all stages of research. From the selection of research questions to the communication of conclusions, researchers need to consider how principles such as usefulness, objectivity, and respect apply to their project.

This course gives an interdisciplinary introduction with a focus on three central themes. First, a key aspect of research ethics concerns the treatment of participants. The course begins by showing how the history of research contains harmful practices that have shaped the need for more regulation. The course also explains how institutions of approval help safeguard participants. The second key theme is research as a cooperative practice. We will explore how fair cooperation can be secured through practices for assigning authorship and sharing data. The third theme is about research as governed by a commitment to objectivity. This commitment must be squared with the inevitable presence of value judgments, and it must be protected by procedures regarding conflicts of interest.

At all stages, the course provides an oversight over relevant guidelines and regulations but also highlights the need for independent reflection and case-specific judgment. The subjects will be covered in a way that familiarizes participants with resources that can be used in their own research practice. Towards the end of the course, we focus on concrete aspects of the current projects of course participants.

A master’s degree (120 ECTS) or equivalent)

To be considered for admission, all applicants must submit a one-page summary (A4) of their Ph.D. project before the application deadline.

The following learning outcomes are associated with the successful completion of this course:

Knowledge

The candidate

• is familiar with guidelines and regulations for research ethics

• is familiar with key ethical themes and challenges

• is familiar with relevant stakeholders and institutions

Skills

The candidate

• can apply the principles of research ethics to specific research projects

• can form an independent judgment concerning a variety of challenges related to research ethics

• can access relevant resources and procedures

The following subjects will be addressed:

• History of research ethics

• The Norwegian system of committees, laws, and institutions

• Philosophy of research ethics

• Values in science

• Social responsibility

• Misconduct

• Conflicts of interest

• Authorship

• Coproduction

• International collaboration

• Informed consent

• Internet research

• Data management

• Integrity

• Accountability

This course is taught using lectures, discussion, group work and work requirements made in preparation for class assignments. The last day of the course is dedicated to prepared presentations and discussion of the research projects of participants.

This course involves interdisciplinary discussion of subjects and active participation in class is a prerequisite to develop good understanding of the course content. Student attendance of at least 80 % is therefore mandatory to be eligible for examination. The course leader can exempt students from this requirement only under special and individual circumstances. In these cases, extensive reading of the course literature can compensate for the lack of attendance.

Participants who are absent from the requisite class attendance without a valid reason will lose the right of examination.

Mandatory assignments are evaluated as a pass or fail.

Participants will receive 5 ECTS for successful completion of the course. This includes the attendance requirement as well as passing the essay examination. The essay will discuss a key challenge in research ethics and ways to deal with it. Participants should explain why they think their chosen subject is especially important for their project or their type of research. The essay is to be about 4000 words and must be handed in before the submission deadline.

The essay will be examined by the course leader and is assessed as a pass or fail. If the essay is not passed, students are given another chance to edit their submission on a later agreed upon deadline.

The essay examination is based on the descriptions of the course’s learning outcomes.

It is not possible to request an extension of the submission deadline. Exceptions from this are only made in cases of documented sick leave. The deadline for submission will then be postponed based on the documented period of sick leave.

Support materials for assessment/examination

All

Right to appeal

Students may appeal their grade and formal errors in accordance with the Act relating to universities and university colleges and Regulations relating to studies and examinations at OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University.

All PhD candidates who lack formal training in research ethics

This course is primarily meant for students enrolled in a Ph.D. program. If the total number of applicants fall below the maximum number of participants we can accept, other applicants with a master’s degree or equivalent (120 ECTS) will be considered for admission