Module: Research Ethics

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Research Ethics
Module Code	PHE1034 (ITS: TP602)
Faculty	Theology, Philosophy & Music	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5

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

Section Breakdown
CRN	11351	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	PASS/FAIL	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Bert Gordijn	Module Teacher

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

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Indicative Reading List

Books:

William K. Frankena: 1973, Ethics, 2nd, http://www.ditext.com/frankena/ethics.html, 125,
David B. Resnik: 1998, The Ethics of Science, 1st, Routledge, Abington, New York, 200,
Paul Oliver: 2003, The Student's Guide to Research Ethics, 1st, Open University Press, Berkshire, England, 154,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None