SVH-8005 Research Ethics (DIGITAL, 3 ECTS)
SVH-8005 Research Ethics (DIGITAL, 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.
This page refers to the digital version of the course that runs every autumn semester, a physical version is taught during spring semester:
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 digital version of the course runs over the whole fall semester and will be made available for students on Canvas. Prior to the course start, PhD candidates are required to familiarize themselves with the syllabus and participate in moderated discussion forums on CANVAS. Additionally, PhD candidates will have to submit a 500-word summary of preliminary ethical reflections on challenges in their PhD projects as Canvas assignment. This information will help the lecturers tailor their lectures and assign PhD candidates to relevant groups for seminars and workshops.
Course Schedule
- Part 1: Foundational lectures delivered as video material on Canvas to all PhD candidates across disciplines. Mandatory quiz after lectures.
- Part 2: Discipline-oriented seminars in medium-sized groups to explore ethical issues specific to different areas of study.
- Part 3: Interactive workshops in small, cross-disciplinary groups where PhD candidates present ethical reflections on their research and receive feedback from lecturers and peers.
Coursework Requirements
In addition to the pre-work, candidates have to go through all digital lectures in part 1 to pass the knowledge quiz at the end of Part 1. Only those who pass the quiz are allowed to continue to Part 2 of the course. Additionally, participation in the seminars, the workshop and the 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.
