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Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Research Ethics
Module Code	GS604
School	OVPLI
Online Module Resources
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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.

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Lecture	6	Introductory presentation and Q&A
Group work	3	Small group case discussions
Debate	3	Plenary case discussions
Independent learning	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%

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

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
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

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Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013Please note that this information is subject to change.

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.