Information about the course

• Course code: FOUK018
• Host School: School of Education, Culture and Communication
• Valid from: 2024-01-01
• Established by: Dean of School
• Decision date: 2023-12-19
• Level of education: Third cycle level

Course objective

The purpose of this course is to provide the doctoral students with the opportunity to advance their knowledge about legislation regarding research ethics, research ethical principles and good research practice, as well as related communicative and societal aspects of research.

Course content

• Legislation regarding research ethics
• Research ethical principles and codexes
• Research ethical concepts
• Research misconduct and deviances from good research practice
• Publications ethics and ethical aspects of research communication
• Research traditions and attitudes to research ethical considerations

Intented learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course the doctoral student should be able to

1. demonstrate good knowledge about legislation regarding research ethical audit and review and current rules and norms regarding good research practice
2. demonstrate ability to reflect on how academic ideals, and values and traditions of different research traditions, affects one’s own attitudes towards research and research ethics
3. demonstrate ability to, based on different research ethical and scientific norms and values, make well-grounded assessments of issues regarding the role of research in society and of researchers’ responsibilities to society
4. demonstrate ability to describe, provide argumentation for and communicate ethically well-grounded choices during the research process, connected to choices before, during and after conducting a study

The intended qualitative targets in relation to the Higher Education Ordinance, appendix 2.

Judgement and approach

For a Degree of Doctor the doctoral student shall demonstrate

• C1: intellectual autonomy and disciplinary rectitude as well as the ability to make assessments of research ethics, and
• C2: specialised insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used

Teaching formats

Lectures and seminars

Examination

SEM1, participation in all seminars, 1 credit

INL1, individual written assignment, 1.5 credits

Grade

Examinations included in the course are assessed according to a two-grade scale, fail or pass.

Grades are to be decided by a teacher specially appointed by the university.

A person who has not passed the regular examination shall be given the opportunity to retake the test.

Requirements

To participate in the course and the examinations included in the course, the applicant must be admitted to doctoral studies. Subject to availability, teachers at Mälardalen University that hold a doctorate can be offered to take part of the course.

Selection criteria

Selection of applicants will be made in accordance with the ranking below.

1. Doctoral students at Mälardalen University
2. Doctoral students at other higher education institutions
3. Teachers at Mälardalen University that holds a PhD.