Type of course

The course may be taken as a single course by doctoral students from institutions in Norway and other countries.This course is part of the mandatory basic training in research ethics for for PhD candidates at the HSL faculty, while it is optional for PhD candidates at other faculties at UiT.

It is recommended that PhD candidates take the course during the first two years of their PhD to ensure they acquire the relevant competence to complete their projects in accordance with ethical standards.

Admission requirements

PhD candidates or holders of a Norwegian Master´s Degree of five years or 3+ 2 years (or equivalent) may be admitted. PhD candidates must upload a document from their university stating that they are registered PhD candidates.

Holders of a Master´s Degree must upload a Master´s Diploma with Diploma Supplement / English translation of the diploma. Applicants from listed countries must document proficiency in English. To find out if this applies to you see the following list: Language requirements | HK-dir (hkdir.no)

For more information on accepted English proficiency tests and scores, as well as exemptions from the English proficiency tests, please see the following document: https://uit.no/Content/254419/PhD_EnglishProficiency_100913.pdf

The course has 80 seats. If the number of applicants exceeds the number of places available on the PhD course, applicants will be ranked from category 1 to 4.

• Category 1: Candidates admitted to the PhD Programme at UiT
• Category 2: Doctoral candidates from other universities
• Category 3: People with a minimum of a Master´s Degree (or equivalent). (A Norwegian Master´s Degree of 5 years or 3 (Bachelor Degree) + 2 years (Master’s Degree).
• Category 4: Students attending a research study programme.

Course content

Ethics is a branch of philosophy that explores moral principles and values with the aim of establishing theories for systematic and consistent ethical decision-making. Research ethics is an applied subset of ethics that specifically addresses the moral challenges that arise in the research process, impacting all stages of academic inquiry and all fields.

This course’s goal is to equip PhD candidates across all disciplines with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental ethical principles underpinning research practices within the academic community and society and to enable them to identify, navigate, and address the ethical challenges that emerge from their own research projects. To achieve this goal, the course is structured into two modules. The first module lays the groundwork by introducing the foundational aspects of research ethics applicable across all disciplines. It provides candidates with an essential understanding of ethical principles and decision-making frameworks in all steps of research. The second module focuses on the ethical issues particular to individual fields of study, allowing candidates to apply the foundational knowledge from the previous module to the ethical dilemmas specific to their own research projects. This approach ensures a comprehensive coverage of both foundational and discipline-specific ethical considerations in research conducted at UiT The Arctic University of Norway.

UiT The Arctic University of Norway is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in all its research activities, balancing global, national, and local responsibilities. UiT dedicates a particular effort to ensure that these standards are upheld in research projects that have a local impact on indigenous populations and national minorities.

Objectives of the course

The candidates have the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

• Understand the fundamental ethical principles and standards that guide all steps of the research process, emphasizing their relevance in global, national, and local contexts.
• Become familiar with the research ethics guidelines that form the foundation for all fields of inquiry, as well with the research ethics guidelines that are specific to the students' own disciplines.
• Identify the ethical issues that arise in the development of technology.
• Grasp the distinctions between guidelines and laws.
• Recognize that as researchers, we are integral to an academic community governed by ethical norms.
• Gain insight into the specific ethical considerations required when conducting research that impacts indigenous populations and national minorities in the Arctic.
• Gain an understanding of the opportunities and challenges associated with research collaboration between researchers, public actors, industry, and others, considering the different roles the stakeholders have in commissioned and contract research.

Skills

• Ability to critically analyze ethical dilemmas and make informed decisions that reflect high ethical standards.
• Capacity to identify and navigate ethical dilemmas in students’ own research projects, employing a balanced approach that respects global, national, and local responsibilities.
• Capability to apply fundamental ethical principles and decision-making frameworks to various stages of the research process (planning, execution, and dissemination), ensuring integrity and responsibility.
• Ability to critically analyze and interpret power relations between research partners in commissioned and contract research.
• Be able to apply the CARE principles for managing sensitive data and ethics in data processing.

Competence

• Proficiency in adapting and applying ethical guidelines to the unique challenges and situations encountered within one's own research career.
• Aptitude for the development of reflective practices to continually assess and improve one's ethical approach to research, considering the evolving nature of ethical standards.

Exhibit readiness to contribute responsibly and ethically to the academic community and society at large, aligning with the mandatory training requirements for PhD students at UiT The Arctic University of Norway.

Language of instruction and examination

Teaching methods

A multidisciplinary team of instructors employs diverse teaching methods tailored to engage students from a range of disciplines, including the Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Medicine and Health Sciences, as well as Engineering and Technology. The course provides a comprehensive introduction to research ethics through a mix of lectures, seminars, including a panel discussion, and an interactive workshop.

The course is divided into two modules: In Module 1, candidates are introduced to foundational concepts of research ethics. Sessions cover essential topics like the principles of research ethics and their origins, ethical theories, and the application of these theories in concrete steps of the research practice.

In Module 2, candidates have the flexibility to select seminars that align with their interests or disciplinary focus, ensuring that candidates from diverse fields explore ethical issues pertinent to their specific areas of study. In the specialized seminars, ethical issues related to specific methods and methodologies will be explored.

Interactive components are present in both in module 1 and 2. Module 1 includes a panel discussion on contemporary research ethical issues. In order to capture the dynamic nature of research ethics, panel discussion topics will vary depending on what is of particular relevance when the course is offered. Module 2 includes an interactive workshop (in addition to seminars), where candidates collaboratively analyze ethical dilemmas in their research. The interactive approach ensures dept of understanding and enhances ability to apply ethical principles in various research contexts.

The course design combines different approaches to student-centered learning, equipping PhD candidates with basic tools for navigating and addressing ethical challenges in their research careers.