SV9104 – Research ethics
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
The course focuses on the responsibility of individuals to apply an ethical approach in their own research project.
Ethical norms and values are integral to all sciences rather than being imposed on research by external bodies. Ethical reflection characterizes scientific work, from the initial tenuous start of the research process to the final publication and dissemination to the public. This is not only out of consideration for the research subjects but also in regard to colleagues, the general public and society at large.
This course cuts across all disciplines at the Faculty of Social Science. There will be emphasis on comparison and we invite candidates to actively interact with colleagues across disciplines showing how different intellectual traditions and research methods have dealt with questions regarding ethics. Lectures, short exercises and active problem solving in groups will invite critical reflection on research ethics within disciplines and towards other disciplines.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
Candidates will:
- have knowledge about general ethical problems in research.
- have knowledge about rules and regulations in social sciences research.
- be familiar with the rules that apply to their research practice and that of related disciplines.
- be familiar with UiO’s Standard for Research Integrity.
- gain insight into the multidisciplinarity of the PhD programme and how researchers may view matters from different perspectives
Skills
Candidates will be able to:
- mobilize a sense of responsibility when faced with ethical problems relevant to research.
- identify and handle ethics dilemmas relevant to their practice.
Competences
Candidates:
- have attained a level of reflection that will guide them in their research career.
Admission to the course
The course is compulsory for all candidates on the PhD programme at the Faculty of Social Sciences.
PhD candidates must each semester register for classes and examinations through Studentweb.
The deadline for registering is February 1st for courses in the spring semester and September 1st for courses in the autumn semester.
This course is only available for candidates admitted to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Oslo.
Overlapping courses
- 2 credits overlap with PSY9002.
- 1 credits overlap with SV9102 – Research Ethics (discontinued).
Teaching
Lectures, seminars and group presentations
Compulsory activities Attendance
- 80 % attendance.
- Active participation.
- The attendance and examination must be completed in the same semester.
Curriculum
- The participants are expected to be familiar with the curriculum in advance.
Examination
Mandatory assignment due one week before the course starts
Prepare a brief ethical assessment of your own PhD project. This could involve ethical questions, dilemmas and/or reflections relevant to your research project (500-600 words).
You will be divided into groups of students, and in the course you will have the chance to discuss your reflections with your group. Please read through the assignments handed in by other members of your group as well before the course. In that way, you will meet better prepared for the group discussion.
The idea behind the assignment is to have you reflect on your own PhD project from an ethical perspective.
The asignment must be uploaded in Canvas within the deadline, approximately one week before the course starts.
After the deadline, all the assignments will be made available on Canvas.
Failure to submit the mandatory assignment in time will result in loss of the right to participate in the course.
Oral group examination
The group presentations will take place on the last day of the course.
Language of examination
The language of examination is English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.
Resit an examination
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.