Mälardalen University, Interdepartmental postgraduate course
Research Ethics and Professionalism
|
|||
|
Course code: |
|
Level: |
Specialized |
|
Subject: |
|
Area of education: |
Cross-disciplinary |
|
Valid from: |
|
ECTS: |
3 |
|
Ratification date: |
2005-09-20 |
Change date: |
2006-08-25 |
The course will give the insight in the ethical problems important for researchers and PhD students. It will develop a framework on which research and professional ethical issues can be analyzed, and build up an awareness of various views of ethical issues as well as professionals ethical responsibilities within different fields of research. Topics covered will aim to develop critical thinking with analysis of case-studies relevant for a given research field and exercises in communication skills through written and spoken ethical arguments. The strong emphasis is given on cross-disciplinarity.
Course content
Topics covered will include foundations of Ethics, the social context of profession, risk-benefit assessments, informed consent, precautionary principle, integrity, privacy, confidentiality of research subjects and data, vulnerable research subjects, issues in human genetics research, interpersonal responsibility (mentor/trainee responsibilities, publication practices, collaborative science vs competitive science), institutional responsibility (ethics committees and the role and functions of istitutions, conflicts of interest and conflicts of commitment) professional responsibility (proposing research, dissemination of findings, peer review), etc.
We will study Codes of Ethics (such as Responsible Conduct of Research), and even examine a series of case studies that have led to ethical dilemmas. Through in-class discussions participants will test different ethical perspectives and even exchange pro- and contra outlooks in the argument.
The course will be delivered through a combination of lectures, guest lectures, classroom training (discussions), training in critical thinking and writing essays. The course is given in English. Simultaneously with training ethical autonomy, we will develop critical thinking and argument technique. Invited guest lectures are delivered by specialists within different research fields.
At least 100 university course points.
Oral assignment (1p), and class participation with class notes (1p).
3, 4 or 5.
Environmental aspects are discussed as one of the important ethical questions for both science and engineering.
For information about the literature see the Virtual Library on the course webpage.