Ethics and Responsibility in Science

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

80 hours

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It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study and reasonable steps will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the University’s programs. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their active and safe participation in a subject are encouraged to discuss this with the relevant subject coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

What is conflict of interest? What should a scientist do when he or she finds fraud is occurring on a scientific research team? How does a scientist write and defend an animal ethics submission and get it approved? What are the ethical issues associated with peer review? This subject is intended to give students a broad overview of research ethics in a scientific context. It will include topics on scientific integrity; conflicts of interest; data recording management; authorship and peer review; animal experimentation and regulations; privacy and confidentiality of records; and, finally, research in humans.

Upon completion of this subject students should:

• be aware of the different ethical responsibilities of individuals in the scientific workplace;
• develop first-hand experience in critical thinking and appraisal related to ethics;
• understand the ethical issues associated with recording and storage of data, and reporting research findings;
• be able to implement the processes involved in obtaining appropriate ethical approval to conduct human and animal research.

Three workshop assignments due throughout the semester (each worth 10%, total 30%); a peer review on either an animal or human ethics application (1000-1200 words) due during the semester (20%); a 2000-word article during the exam period at the end of semester (30%); attendance and participation in class discussions (20%).

No specific text will be prescribed for this subject but recommended reading material will be prescribed for each topic covered in the subject.

Relevant reading material will be recommended for background reading in each topic area.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

The subject will provide students with the opportunity to develop their own sense of intellectual integrity and ethics of scholarship.

They should build upon generic skills including:

• the ability to critically assess and assimilate new knowledge through a range of information and communication technologies;
• high level ability to engage in collaborative learning and confront unfamiliar problems in an academic environment.

They will learn how to apply these skills and be able to use them effectively in their professions and workplaces.

Students will be expected to regularly access an internet-enabled computer.