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851-0180-00L 2 Credits BSC , DR , SHE , DS , MSC D-HEST , D-BIOL , D-MAVT , D-INFK , D-GESS , D-USYS
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Research Ethics

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Gérald Achermann, Philipp Emch
Number of participants limited to 40 Particularly suitable for students of D-BIOL, D-CHAB, D-HEST
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:01:23

Abstract

Students are able to identify and critically evaluate moral arguments, to analyse and to solve moral dilemmas considering different normative perspectives and to create their own well-justified reasoning for taking decisions to the kind of ethical problems a scientist is likely to encounter during the different phases of biomedical research.

Objective

Participants of the course Research Ethics will • Develop an understanding of the role of certain moral concepts, principles and normative theories related to scientific research; • Improve their moral reasoning skills (such as identifying and evaluating reasons, conclusions, assumptions, analogies, concepts and principles), and their ability to use these skills in assessing other people’s arguments, making decisions and constructing their own reasoning to the kinds of ethical problems a scientist is likely to encounter;

Content

I. Introduction to Moral Reasoning 1. Ethics - the basics 1.1 What ethics is not… 1.2 Recognising an ethical issue (awareness) 1.3 What is ethics? Personal, cultural and ethical values, principles and norms 1.4 Ethics: a classification 1.5 Research Ethics: what is it and why is it important? 2. Normative Ethics 2.1 What is normative ethics? 2.2 Types of normative theories – three different ways of thinking about ethics: Virtue theories, duty-based theories, consequentialist theories 2.3 The plurality of normative theories (moral pluralism); 2.4 Roles of normative theories in “Research Ethics” 3. Decision making: How to solve a moral dilemma 3.1 How (not) to approach ethical issues 3.2 What is a moral dilemma? Is there a correct method for answering moral questions? 3.3 Methods of making ethical decisions 3.4 Is there a "right" answer? II. Research Ethics - Internal responsibilities 1. Integrity in research and research misconduct 1.1 What is research integrity and why is it important? 1.2 What is research misconduct? 1.3 Questionable/Detrimental Research Practice (QRP/DRP) 1.4 What is the incidence of misconduct? 1.5 What are the factors that lead to misconduct? 1.6 Responding to research wrongdoing 1.7 The process of dealing with misconduct 1.8 Approaches to misconduct prevention and for promoting integrity in research 2. Data Management 2.1 Data collection and recordkeeping 2.2 Analysis and selection of data 2.3 The (mis)representation of data 2.4 ownership of data 2.5 Retention of data 2.6 Sharing of data (open research data) 2.7 The ethics of big data 3. Publication ethics / Responsible publishing 3.1 Background 3.2 Criteria for being an author 3.3 Ordering of authors 3.4 Publication practices III. Research Ethics – External responsibilities 1. Research involving human subjects 1.1 History of research with human subjects 1.2 Basic ethical principles – The Belmont Report 1.3 Requirements to make clinical research ethical 1.4 Social value and scientific validity 1.5 Selection of study participants – the concept of vulnerability 1.6 Favourable risk-benefit ratio 1.7 Independent review - Ethics Committees 1.8 Informed consent 1.9 Respect for potential and enrolled participants 2. Social responsibility 2.1 What is social responsibility? a) Social responsibility of the individual scientist b) Social responsibility of the scientific community as a whole; 2.2 Participation in public discussions: a) Debate & Dialogue b) Communicating risks & uncertainties c) Science and the media 2.3 Public advocacy (policy making) 3. Dual use research 3.1 Introduction to Dual use research 3.2 Case study – Censuring science? 3.3 Transmission studies for avian flu (H5N1) 3.4 Synthetic biology

Resources

Lecture Notes

Course material (handouts, case studies, exercises, surveys and papers) will be available during the lectures and on the course homepage.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
BSC , DR , SHE , DS , MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance

Registration & Places

Max Places
40
Signup Start
04.09.2022
Signup End
25.09.2022

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Research Ethics
One additional hour of home work per week will be required
  • Wed 18:15-20:00 (LFW C 1)
2 h weekly

Offered In