SVF-8005 Research Ethics (3 ECTS)
SVF-8005 Research Ethics (3 ECTS)
This course is designed to equip PhD candidates across disciplines with a comprehensive understanding of research ethics. It offers foundational knowledge and practical tools to address challenges in their own projects and prepares candidates to uphold ethical standards in future roles in academia or other sectors where research plays a significant role.
PhD candidates are at a stage in their careers where they are transitioning into independent researchers, often working on original projects with significant theoretical and/or practical implications. This course supports PhD candidates on this path to independence by providing them with the knowledge, tools, and frameworks to ensure their research is credible, responsible, and aligned with academic ethical standards.
The evolving ethical landscape for research adds complexity to this path, making this course an essential component of PhD education. To guide PhD candidates further along this path, the course is delivered by a multidisciplinary team of lecturers and combines foundational lectures with discipline-oriented seminars, a panel discussion addressing the latest issues in research ethics, and an interactive workshop.
Pre-work
The course is condensed into four days, making pre-work essential for maximizing its value. Prior to the course, PhD candidates are required to familiarize themselves with the syllabus and participate in moderated discussion forums on CANVAS. Additionally, PhD candidates will receive a link to complete a questionnaire where they will be required to select their preferred seminar groups and submit a 500-word summary of preliminary ethical reflections on challenges in their PhD projects. This information will help the lecturers tailor their lectures and assign PhD candidates to relevant groups for seminars and workshops.
Course schedule
- Days 1 and 2: Foundational lectures delivered in an auditorium to all PhD candidates across disciplines.
- Day 3: Discipline-oriented seminars in medium-sized groups to explore ethical issues specific to different areas of study.
- Day 4: Interactive workshops in small, cross-disciplinary groups where PhD candidates present ethical reflections on their research and receive feedback from lecturers and peers.
- Day 5 (if needed): Additional workshop sessions to accommodate all participants. Students presenting on Day 4 are not required to attend Day 5 and vice versa
Please check the UiT course catalogue for exact dates.
Coursework Requirements
In addition to the pre-work, candidates are required to demonstrate 80% attendance across the four days. Participation in the workshop and presentation of their work is mandatory.
Exam
The exam consists of submitting a 3000-4000-word essay via Wiseflow. In this essay, students must demonstrate their ability to identify, navigate, and address ethical challenges that emerge from their own research projects, as well as their critical ability to apply this knowledge to other contexts. The exam will be assessed on a Pass/Fail basis.
