Learning outcomes:

The participants understand that the “goodness” in good scientific practices has epistemic, moral, and social dimensions. They are familiar with Responsible conduct of research and Ethical principles of research in the humanities and social and behavioral sciences (The Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity) as well as The European code of conduct for research integrity. They are prepared to discuss ethical questions in their own research projects as well as the epistemic, moral, and social responsibilities of researchers.

Target audience:

Doctoral researchers in all disciplines and specialties

General description:

The course explains the epistemic, moral, and social justification for the principles of research ethics. It describes how ethical standards should guide data collection and management, scientific reasoning, social practices of scientific communities, management of research groups, the treatment of animal and human subjects in research, and the relations between researchers and the public.

Course content:

-          The reward system of science: tensions between researchers’ non-epistemic goals (e.g., career advancement) and the epistemic goals of science

-          Scientific misconduct, recklessness and gross negligence, and questionable research practices

-          Objectivity and the proper role of epistemic, moral, and social values in scientific inquiry

-          Scientific communities, research groups and co-authorship

-          Trust in/within science and conflicts of interest

-          Ethical standards in data collection and management

-          Good practices in supervision, funding application, manuscript submission and peer review

Course structure:

1. Lectures (12 h)

• 3 x 4h

2. Independent study (Open Learning Research Ethics)

3. Workshop (12 h)

• 2 x 6h

Lectures (time and place):

Mon 3.9.2018 at 12-16 (in Room C5 Main building)

Tue 11.9.2018 at 12-16 (in Room Kh3 Main building)

Wed 19.9.2018 at 12-16 (in Room C7 Main building)

Workshops (time and place):

3.10.2018 at 10-16 (in Room C7 Main building)

10.10.2018 at 10-16 (in Room C7 Main building)

Enrolment in NettiOpsu. Maximum group size 20 (course is for UTA and TUT doctoral researchers). Priority is given to English language doctoral researchers. Otherwise selection method is draw. Enrolment period 1.8.-15.8.2018

Requirements:

1. Pre-course assignment (1-2 pages)

2. Active participation in lectures and workshops

3. Presentation in the workshop (15-20 min)

4. Final essay (6-7 pages)

Pre-course assignment:

Read David Resnik’s (2015) article and write an essay (1-2 pages). Discuss at least three ethical principles mentioned by Resnik. Explain why these principles are important in your own research project or in your discipline/specialty. How are they relevant to research ethical questions or challenges you have met while you have been engaged in your research? Be sure to mention your name, discipline, research topic, and research group/collaboration (if applicable). The assignment is submitted via Moodle.

Resnik, David. 2015. What is Ethics in Research & Why is it Important?

https://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/resources/bioethics/whatis/index.cfm 

Teacher:

University Lecturer in Research Ethics

Evaluation:

Pass/fail