Why Ethics Matter: Ethical Research (FutureLearn)

Why Ethics Matter: Ethical Research (FutureLearn)

Explore the role ethics plays in research and why it's so important. We each have different morals, shaped by our individual upbringing, culture and life experiences. These diverse moral codes result in different perceptions of what’s right, fair and reasonable. This is where a research code of ethics comes in. On this course, you’ll explore significant events in history that have shaped ethical conduct today. You’ll also explore the key principles most codes of ethics are based on.

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Looking at case studies, you’ll examine the components of a research ethics application. Finally, you’ll discover how to protect people’s rights during your own research process.

What topics will you cover?

  • The role of ethics in research today and the historical context
  • Core principles underpinning ethical codes
  • Identifying conflicts of interest and managing bias
  • Navigating ethical dilemmas and repercussions of unethical behavior
  • Special considerations for research involving people and animals
  • Preparing for the ethics application

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

  • Discuss the value of ethical conduct in research
  • Interpret ethical principles to apply theory to practice
  • Apply a framework to support ethical research design
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