Research Ethics

The course will cover general concerns in research ethics as well as research ethics issues that may be specific to the candidate's own research.

The general topics covered in the form of lectures are:

• Academic integrity including plagiarism, self-plagiarism
• Research data and result bias, manipulation, and fabrication
• Research methods and requirements for verifiability and reproducibility
• Handling of personal and sensitive information
• Research with dual-use implications

On completion of the module, candidates will possess the following:

Knowledge:

• Overview of research ethics; the institutional arrangement and ethical standards
• In-depth understanding of requirements and methods for ensuring the verifiability and reproducibility of scientific results
• Understanding of the scientific, ethical and legal implications of scientific misconduct in the planning, execution or reporting of the research
• Knowledge of legal and ethical requirements for the acquisition, handling, and storage of personal and sensitive information
• Awareness of the obligations of research to society

Skills:

• Ability to identify ethical and legal issues and requirements in the conduct of research
• Ability to discuss causes and means for the prevention of misconduct and questionable research practices
• Ability to identify research applications outside the intended domain raising ethical and legal concerns

General Competence:

• Ability to reflect on own and others research practice and its adherence to ethical standards

The module will be offered every semester. The module will consist of two days of lectures combined with self-study and a final seminar day.The module will be taught based on a combination of lectures and a term paper. Lectures are to introduce key topics in reseach ethics, while the term paper will rely on literature self-study discussing one of the topics provided by the module leader(s); the term paper take the form of a group work. The results of the term paper will be reflected and discussed in the final seminar day. Candidates and groups of candidates must submit an outline for their term paper consisting of a working title, abstract, and key references no later than eight weeks after the start of the semester.