Scientific Integrity

Recently public trust in science has been severely damaged by number of integrity incidents. Scientific Integrity is adherence to professional values and practices, when conducting and applying the results of science and scholarship. It ensures objectivity and reproducibility. Scientific integrity is important because it provides insulation from bias, fabrication, plagiarism, outside interference. To prepare scientists for the integrity issues in their daily scientific practice, this one day course on research integrity is developed. In order to prepare scientists to cope with integrity problems in their career, they do not only learn about the ethical values and integrity in science during this course, but also learn how to reflect and evaluate complex case material in small groups.

 

Learning outcomes:

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

• present and explain key principles of good science and good scientific conduct, and understand how these are linked to the nature of the quest for scientific knowledge;
• discern integrity tensions, risks (more specifically: in organization, in methodology) in general as well as in their own fields and projects;
• present and explain controversial cases and accusations and defend a well-argued point of on such cases;
• use the WageningUR governance structure, and visit confidential advisers in case of questions, dilemmas and threats;
• cope with integrity and fraud accusations.

 

General Information

Target Group:	PhD's
Group size:	Max. 15 participants
Course duration:	1 day course; involves homework
Language:	English
Credit points:	0.6 ECTS
Self-study hours:	4
Name lecturer:	A teacher of the WUR Philosophy Group
Venue:

 

 

Programme

Scientific Integrity

Homework:

• Read the ‘Code of Conduct’ of the VSNU, http://www.vsnu.nl/files/documents/Netherlands%20Code%20of%20Conduct%20for%20Research%20Integrity%202018.pdf.
• Apply the Code to your own PhD project/situation (about 1 page). In what way do you (plan to) apply the principles and standards in your research? Where do see (potential) integrity tensions, dilemmas or challenges emerge for your project? And are there any elements of the Code that surprise you, are unclear to you, or otherwise lead to questions? Send the document to   heleen.danen@wur.nl two weeks before the start of the course.

9.00 – 10.15 Introduction 1: Ethical issues in research; basic values in science; integrity; breaches of integrity.
10.15 – 12.00 Small case-studies in groups
13.00 – 13.45 Introduction 2: Scientific Integrity in everyday work situations
13.45 – 15.15 Interactive video assignment: The Lab (in small groups. Short plenary discussion).
15.30 – 17.00  Systematic analysis of individual projects: Where are integrity tensions? Methodologically weak points? What does one need to be able to cope with tensions? Discussion in small groups and a plenary at the end.

 

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