INTHE4120 – Ethical issues in international health research - advanced module in research ethics
Course content
This course focus on a cluster of salient topics in international research ethics, some of which have been introduced in the INTHE4008 - Research Ethics - introductory module in research ethics:
- Designing scientifically and ethically sound studies,
- Research ethics challenges in resource-poor settings: equality, justice and equity; the standard of care debate, post-trial obligations, fair distribution of benefits and harm; exploitation; unfair/undue inducement, collaborative injustice,
- Benefit sharing pertaining to scientific research and its applications, access to essential medicines,
- Ethical issues pertaining to the use of traditional medicine, and
- Research ethics challenges in post-disaster situations.
Learning outcome
You will learn how to know the core epistemological and ethical principles in quantitative and qualitative research and be able to interpret and apply these principles in local research settings.
Knowledge
You will get to know:
- The core epistemological and ethical principles in quantitative and qualitative research
- The responsibility of researchers when involving vulnerable individuals, groups and communities in research
- The pros-and counter-arguments employed in the debate about the use of standard of care versus placebo in resource-poor settings
- What fair distribution of benefits and harms entail
- The pros- and counter-arguments employed in the debate on exploitation
- What post-trial obligations to participants and communities entail
- How different regulatory regimes might influence the access to essential medicines
- The responsibility of international researchers when involving local collaborators in conducting a study
- The ethical obligations pertaining to conducting research in post-disaster situations
Skills
- You will learn to interpret and apply ethical and epistemological principles in local research settings
General Competence
You will attain:
- familiarity with the ethical challenges pertaining to sharing the benefits of scientific research and its applications
- familiarity with the ethical challenges pertaining to conducting research on traditional medicine
Admission
Students enrolled at the M.Phil in International Community Health programme will get first priority to the course, as long as they register before 10 January. The deadline for register in Studentweb and apply for courses is February 1.
Students enrolled in other Master's degree programmes at the UIO can, on application to helsam-studentinfo@helsam.uio.no, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme. We prioritize students at other programmes at the Institute and Faculty. You will get an answer latest 20 January.
External applicants, not already enrolled as a student at UIO, are welcome to apply. Please fill out the form at /english/studies/programmes/ichealth-master/admission/ to check if you meet the requirements and which documents to you need to provide. In short you need to provide:
- A completed Bachelor’s degree or a period of study comparable with a Norwegian Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution.
- A minimum grade point average (GPA) of C (in Norwegian scale) or equivalent from the specialization in your degree.
- A English language test of a certain level.
- The applicants must have a specialization either within health sciences or social sciences.
To apply, please email helsam-studentinfo@helsam.uio.no before 10 January with all the relevant documents (see the link above). Applicants who have not attached all the nessecary documents will not get admission.
Note: all documents must be official certified copies
Read more about admission for international applicants
You will get an answer latest 20 January.
Teaching
Five days course, total 30 hours. Topical introductions and group assignments. Work in interdisciplinary groups of 4-5 persons. Assignment pertaining to group work is mandatory. There is an 80% attendance requirement to sit for exam.
Examination
Home exam - writing a 10 pages essay on a selected topic in research ethics.
Submit assignments in Inspera
You submit your assignment in the digital examination system Inspera. Read about how to submit your assignment.
Use of sources and citation
You should familiarize yourself with the rules that apply to the use of sources and citations. If you violate the rules, you may be suspected of cheating/attempted cheating.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.