Module: Research Ethics

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Research Ethics
Module Code	TP602 (ITS) / PHE1034 (Banner)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	Theology, Philosophy & Music
Module Co-ordinator	Bert Gordijn
Module Teachers	-
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

Repeat the module
Presenting a new paper

Description

The purpose of this module is to examine contemporary ethical issues in research and develop skills in applying ethical theories and principles to practical settings. First, students will examine the history of ethics in general, its main characteristics as a field of inquiry, and methods of ethical deliberation. Second, students will focus in on the ethics of research as a separate field of applied ethics. They will become familiar with broadly accepted principles in research ethics and apply these principles to topical ethical issues. Thus students will be exposed to a broad range of contemporary ethical problems in research, with an opportunity to focus on the specific types of issues most relevant to their particular topic and method of research. Third, the module will address more specifically the ethics of experimental research with humans and/or animals. Finally, students will be encouraged to analyse one particular issue in depth in a research paper.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of relevant ethical principles in research.
2. Display a critical awareness of various ethical dilemmas in research.
3. Apply a range of appropriate ethical theories, value systems and principles in order to elucidate ethical issues in research.
4. Adopt appropriate ethical decision-making models to explore resolutions to ethical problems in research.
5. Construct reasoned arguments for a justified course of action in ethically difficult cases.
6. Give evidence of an in-depth ethical analysis of one particular research ethics issue by completion of a paper.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	6	Introductory presentation and Q&A
Group work	3	Small group case discussions
Debate	3	Plenary case discussions
Independent Study	113	Literature research and writing a research paper
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction to ethics
History, characteristics, and models of moral deliberation

Research ethics
General characteristics of the field; introduction to fundamental principles; case discussions

Ethics of research with humans and/or animals
Historical overview; fundamental principles; practicalities of seeking ethical approval from the Research Ethics Committee; case discussions

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Essay	Completion of a research paper	100%	Sem 1 End

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

William K. Frankena: 1973, Ethics, 2nd, http://www.ditext.com/frankena/ethics.html,
David B. Resnik: 1998, The Ethics of Science, 1st, Routledge, Abington, New York,
Paul Oliver: 2003, The Student's Guide to Research Ethics, 1st, Open University Press, Berkshire, England,

Other Resources

None