Ethics and Legal Aspects of Scientific Research

-Academic integrity including plagiarism, self-plagiarism
-Research data and result bias, manipulation, and fabrication
-Research methods and requirements for verifiability and reproducibility
-Legal aspects of research including intellectual property issues
-Open access data and research outcomes

Expected Learning Outcomes:

 The module (mandatory for doctoral students in the programme) is intended to provide students with a firm grounding in understanding of aspects of research ethics, academic integrity, and the possible interactions with
 the law as part of the research, dissemination, and exploitation processes that students are undertaking.
Most importantly, students will be strongly encouraged to reflect on the aforementioned areas critically both as a researcher and in relation to their own current and future research.

 
 Students will engage with the course responsible to elect two sub-areas from the topics identified below and to prepare two distinct seminar papers comprising a synopsis of the chosen sub-area combined with the students' perspective and reflection.
Skills:

 On concluding the module, candidates

can identify and analyse primary and secondary research literature in the areas of research ethics and legal aspects of research

can synthesise a cogent position on research ethics questions based on findings in the primary and secondary literature

are able to express and analyse ethical and research integrity questions related to their own area of research

Knowledge:

 On concluding the module, candidates

will have an overview of core questions of ethics in research in natural sciences and engineering

have developed an in-depth understanding of problems in research ethics, academic integrity, and legal aspects of research in accordance with the topics chosen at the outset of the module

will have in-depth knowledge of requirements and best practices for the creation, stewardship, and retention of research data and outcomes ensuring reproducibility

General Competence:
 On concluding the module, candidates

will be able argue the ethical merits, limitations, and possible impact of research in Computer Science

will be able to articulate legal and ethical bounds for research in Computer Science and identify and assess the impact such research may have on society

-Individual discussions
-Seminars
-Literature study

Compulsory requirements:
-Students are required to prepare a term paper on one of the subject areas covered in the course in coordination with and approved by the lecturer and must provide a presentation of results and findings in a seminar. The delivery date for the term paper is arranged individually to match the seminar schedule.