Module Code - Title:

LA8013 - RESEARCH ETHICS

Year Last Offered:

2024/5

Hours Per Week:

Lecture

1

Lab

0

Tutorial

0

Other

4

Private

0

Credits

3

Grading Type:

PF

Prerequisite Modules:

Rationale and Purpose of the Module:

The aim of the module is to present researchers with an opportunity to examine the ethical complexities which arise in the process of conducting research involving human participants. Participants will learn to identify and analyse ethical issues relating to study design and rationale, consent processes and protection of personal information in the fields of education research, health sciences research and psychology.

Syllabus:

Brief introduction to research ethics: history and legislation Respecting participants: consent and communication Ethical issues in research design Anticipating risk and designing safeguards Protecting confidentiality: obtaining, storing and handling of personal data Conflict of interest Research ethics committees: their role and mandate

Learning Outcomes:

Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)

At the end of this module, participants will: a) Understand the rationale for the ethical conduct of research and the need for regulation of research b) Be familiar with the main types of ethical issues arising in the context of research involving human participants c) Be able to identify and analyse potential risks arising in specific research contexts d) Be able to propose safeguards to minimise risk to participants e) Be able to complete a standard application for research ethics approval

Affective (Attitudes and Values)

At the end of the module, participants will appreciate that 'good ethics is good science', namely, that the design and conduct of any study involving human participants must be approached from an ethical perspective.

Psychomotor (Physical Skills)

N/A

How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:

This module will be taught during a one-week summer school consisting of 6 hours contact teaching time followed by 70 hours of private/on-line study.

Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):

Prime Texts:

Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (2010) Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Human ( 2010). , Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada

US Office of Research Integrity (2011) Human Participants Protection for Research Teams , US Office of Research Integrity

American Psychological Association (2010) Ethical Principles for Psychologists and Code of Ethics , American Psychological Association

Other Relevant Texts:

Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:

Semester(s) Module is Offered:

Summer

Module Leader:

Hope.Davidson@ul.ie