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Research Ethics
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:36:25
Abstract
This course enables students to:• Improve their moral reasoning skills (e.g. identify, construct and evaluate moral arguments);• Identify and describe leading normative approaches and concepts for research involving human subjects;• Analyse the theoretical foundations and disputes on moral issues related to research involving human subjects.
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; • Deepen their understanding of the debates on certain central moral issues in research.
Content
I. Introduction to Moral Reasoning 1. Ethics - the basics - What is ethics? What ethics is not... - Identification of moral issues (awareness): what constitutes an ethical question? Distinguishing ethical questions from other kinds of questions; - Values (personal, cultural & ethical) & principles for ethical conduct in research; - Descriptive and prescriptive ethics - Ethical universalism, ethical relativism and cultural relativism - What is research ethics and why is it important? 2. Normative Ethics - Overview on important theories for research ethics: virtue theories, duty-based theories (rights theory, categorical imperative, prima facie duties), consequentialist theories, other theories; - The plurality of ethical theories, moral pluralism and its consequences; 3. Decision-making: How to solve a moral dilemma - How (not) to approach ethical issues - Moral conflict and moral dilemma - Is there a correct method for answering moral questions? - Methods of making ethical decisions (e.g. the expanding circle method; morally relevant questions; ...) - Is there a "right" answer? II. Research ethics - internal responsibilities 1. Integrity in research and research misconduct - What is reserach integrity and why is it important? - Challenges for ethical conduct in science - Questionable / detrimental research practice (QRP/DRP) 2. Responsible publishing - Responsibilities of authors 3. Data management III. Research ethics - external responsibilities 1. Research involving human subjects - History of research involving human subjects - Basic ethical principles – the Belmont report - Selection of study participants. The concept of vulnerability - Assessment of risks and benefits of a research project - Research ethics committees - Information and consent; confidentiality and anonymity; - Research projects involving biological material and health related data 2.Social responsibility
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 , DS , DR , SHE , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
- Digital
- The exam takes place on devices provided by ETH Zurich.
Registration & Places
- Max Places
- 40
- Signup Start
- 30.08.2020
- Signup End
- 20.09.2020
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise |
Research Ethics
One additional hour of home work per week will be required.
The lecturers will communicate the exact lesson times of ONLINE courses.
|
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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GESS Science in Perspective (Only the topics listed in this paragraph can be chosen as GESS Science in Perspective. Further below you will find the "type B courses Reflections about subject specific methods and content" as well as the language courses. 6 ECTS need to be acquired during the BA and 2 ECTS during the MA Students who already took a course within their main study program are NOT allowed to take the course again.)
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Type A: Enhancement of Reflection Competence (Suitable for all students. Students who already took a course within their main study program are NOT allowed to take the course again.)
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Type B: Reflection About Subject-Specific Methods and Contents (Subject-specific courses: Recommended for doctoral, master and bachelor students (after first-year examination only). Students who already took a course within their main study program are NOT allowed to take the course again. These course units are also listed under "Type A", which basically means all students can enroll)
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Additional Elective Courses (These Electives may be chosen from the start of the Bachelor Study Programme.)
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Electives (A list with possible electives will be published separately.)
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Biology Teaching Diploma (Detailed information on the programme at: )
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Compulsory Elective Courses (Further course offerings from the category Educational Science are listed under "Programme: Educational Science for Teaching Diploma and TC".)
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Doctoral Department of Environmental Sciences (More Information at: )
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Doctoral Department Biology (More Information at: )
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Doctoral Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering (More Information at: )