Research Ethics 4.5 credits FOR049F

Course syllabus

Course name: Research Ethics

ECTS/HP: 4,5

Course code: FOR049F

Education cycle: Third-cycle (doctoral level)

Syllabus established: Gunilla Isaksson

Examiner: Åsa Engström

Course Leader: Silje Rysst Gustafsson

Entry requirements: Admitted as doctoral student at Luleå University of Technology. Doctoral students from other universities can apply and will be admitted depending on availability.

Course aims: On completion of the course, the PhD candidate should be able to:

• Show independence and scientific honesty in one’s own research work, as well as reflect on one’s own values and how these affect the approach to research
• Show the ability to make relevant research ethical assessments in relation to one's own and others' research work, based on ethical principles for research, guidelines and relevant laws and regulations
• Demonstrate the ability to systematically reflect on one's own and others' research activities with respect to research ethics, equality, gender and sustainability
• Demonstrate the ability to assess questions about the role of science in society and on the researcher's responsibility towards society based on research ethical and scientific norms

The above learning objectives imply that the course addresses the following national criteria for the doctoral degree, according to the numbering in Appendix B to the individual study plan: 3:1; 3.2

Course content:

• The philosophical foundations of research ethics
• Principles of research ethics, guidelines, codes and declarations
• Ethics and legislation
• Research ethical reasoning on the impact of research on people, societies and the resources of the earth
• Gender, intersectionality and equality in research and academia
• Scientific conduct

Realization: Literature studies, lectures, seminars and quizzes.

Examination format: The course is examined through active participation in seminars together with written assignments

Grading scale: Pass/Fail

Literature:

ALLEA (2011). The European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity. Retrieved from: http://www.esf.org/fileadmin/Public_documents/Publications/Code_Conduct_ResearchIntegrity.pdf

Lag (2003:460) om etikprövning som avser människor. http://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-lagar/dokument/svenskforfattningssamling/lag-2003460-om-etikprovning-av-forskning-som_sfs-2003-460 External link.

Mustajoki, H. & Mustajoki, A. (2017). A New Approach to Research Ethics. Using Guided Dialogue to Strengthen Research Communities. London: Routledge

National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research. (1978). The Belmont report: Ethical principles and guidelines for the protection of human subjects of research. [Bethesda, Md.]: The Commission.

Shamoo, A.E. & Resnik, D.B. (2015). Responsible conduct of research. (3.ed.) New York, NY: Oxford university press.

Vetenskapsrådet (2017). Good Research Practice. [Elektronic] Stockholm:Vetenskapsrådet. https://www.vr.se/download/18.2412c5311624176023d25b05/1529480532631/God-forskningssed_VR_2017.pdf

World Medical Association. World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki: Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects. JAMA. 2013;310(20):2191–2194. doi:10.1001/jama.2013.281053

Additional teaching material of about 100 pages in accordance with the teacher's instructions.

Deadline for registration for the course 2024: December 14, 2023. Register by sending mail to foutbhlt@ltu.se. State name, social security number (personnummer), e-mail, department, research subject and supervisor.
Deadline for registration for the course 2025: December 13, 2024.To be announced. Register by sending mail to foutbhlt@ltu.se. State name, social security number (personnummer), e-mail, department, research subject and supervisor.

Course period 2024: Study period 3, 2024.
Course period 2025: Study period 3, 2025.

Contact person: Silje Rysst Gustafsson