Research Ethics and Research-based Knowledge

Aim

On completion of the course, the students should on an advanced level be able to:

• explain ethical principles and values relevant to research
• orally and in writing, analyse ethical problems that may arise in various phases of research as well as in the use of research-based knowledge
• apply ethical principles and concepts in an in-depth analysis of concrete research ethics issues
• formulate theory-based recommendations and assessments of a normative question concerning research
• use a critical approach to positions and arguments within research ethics

Content

This course focuses on the relationship between ethics and research and encompasses ethical issues, such as those related to various phases of research. The possibilities of promoting good research ethics and ethically defensible research results are critically discussed. Furthermore, the scientific and ethical requirements placed on research and tools for assessing whether research results meet these requirements are addressed.

The course begins with an overview of the fundamental requirements for academic research, such as scientific integrity and good research ethics. Risks associated with research misconduct and deviations from good research ethics are illustrated with concrete cases. Formal requirements for ethical review in research involving animals and humans are introduced and problematized. The values that ethical review aims to protect are presented, and alternative ways to ensure these are explored.

The course includes applying ethical principles and guidelines as well as critically reflecting on existing research ethics frameworks. Additionally, it involves applying principles for ethical review to concrete cases and assessing the extent to which specific research strategies and practices can be ethically justified, for example, regarding publication. Conditions for ethically defensible research are discussed. Defensible research results are critically discussed to provide a basis for assessing the quality and usability of research results.