Introduction to Scientific Integrity (in-person training)

Academia can be an ethically challenging environment given the pervasive financial and career-related pressures that do not always align with the ideals of good science. This phenomenon manifests itself most visibly in outright misconduct, such as data falsification. It also can subtly affect scientist behaviours as to undermine trust between scientists and public trust in science itself. As a result, it is more important than ever that scientists strive to maintain integrity throughout their research activities.

However, this does not mean that research integrity should be viewed as mere matter of compliance, and this course will convey to participants how the principles of research integrity, at core, are an invaluable resource for doing good science. Participants reflect on the subtleties of good science, ethical science, and academic success. They conduct a guided analysis of the Netherlands Code of Conduct based on fundamental principles. Finally, through deliberation on case studies they learn how to use this code as an ethical resource in navigating ethically challenging situations they may encounter in their research work.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course PhD’s are expected to be able to:

• Participants gain familiarity with the elements of the Netherlands Code of Conduct for Research Integrity
• Participants understand what the social function is of a code of conduct, and why the code contains certain provisions rather than others.
• Participants know how to use the code as a guideline for ethically responding to difficult dilemma’s arising from authorship, supervision, publication pressure, data sharing, and so on.

General Information:

Target Group:	PhD's
Group size:	Min. 15 participants, Max. 25 participants
Course duration:	1 day course; involves homework
Language:	English
Credit points:	0.6 ECTS
Self-study hours:	4
Name lecturer:	Hugh Desmond, PHI
Venue:	Wageningen

 

Preparation:

1. In a minimum of 300 words, the description of a case of an ethical dilemma or conflict situation that arose during the course of either your work or that of a colleague (e.g., about data management, data sharing, methodological reliability, authorship disputes, supervision, conflicts of interest, etc.). Be prepared to present this case to your fellow participants and to the group. 
2. Read the Netherlands Code of Conduct for Research Integrity, (esp. the preamble and first three sections), and formulate one appreciative point (e.g., useful or clarifying for certain types of situation) and one critical point (e.g., lack of clarity, lack of usefulness, inconsistency, etc.).

Deadlines

As a condition for participation, participants must submit their preparation at minimum 3 days before the start of the course. Participants must also be present for the full duration of the course.

Send the assignments to Marcella.Haan@wur.nl.

Structure:

1. Morning: lecture & discussions

We enquire into the nature of research integrity, its difference with research ethics, and what good science means. We then analyze the Netherlands Code of Conduct together, and address the question why it was written the way it was written. Some background is given about the history and sociology of research integrity.

2. Afternoon: training activity

In the afternoon, through both an interactive video assignment as well as discussion in small groups of various individual cases, we apply the morning’s material to hands-on ethical deliberation. We end with a plenary discussion.

Fee

Fee includes coffee/tea and lunch.

Cancellation condition

Until four weeks before the start of the course, you can cancel free of charge. After this date you will be charged with the “University Fee”. Unless:

• You can find someone to replace you in the course and supply the course coordinator with the name and contact information of your replacement. In this case you will only be charged with €50.
• You (PhD’s and post-docs of Wageningen University) have a valid reason to cancel (circumstances beyond your control), you will be charged the reduced fee and your supervisor/PI must send a mail indicating the reason for cancellation.

 

Information

For more information please contact Marcella.Haan@wur.nl