Course description

This course focuses on ethical issues that are encountered specifically in research with human subjects. After identifying ethical principles for social sciences research on the basis of one specific case (brought in by the lecturer), participants will discuss their own research proposals. Interactions and feedback are tailored to the topics that are relevant to the research projects op the participants. Participants are informed about the procedures for receiving ethical approval from the Social Sciences Ethics Committee and adjust their own study protocol (including informed consent sheets) for meeting the ethics requirements prescribed by this committee.

We recommend taking this course in combination with Research Integrity (RI), which focuses on key principles of good science and good scientific conduct, and on (ways of coping with) integrity tensions.

Course objectives

Upon completion of this course: 

• participants are aware of morally salient dimensions of different phases of a research project, and understand the need to come to well-considered judgments.
• participants are knowledgeable of aspects of their study protocol (including informed consent sheets) that need specific consideration to meet research ethics requirements.
• participants are capable to reflect on possible moral dilemmas in (their) research and formulate arguments relevant to decision making.

 Former occurrences of this course

• 26 November 2018