Effective Practices in the Delivery of Research Ethics Education: A Qualitative Review of Instructional Methods

ABSTRACT

In order to delineate best practices for courses on research ethics, the goal of the present effort was to identify themes related to instructional methods reflected in effective research ethics and responsible conduct of research (RCR) courses. By utilizing a qualitative review, four themes relevant to instructional methods were identified in effective research ethics courses: active participation, case-based activities, a combination of individual and group approaches, and a small number of instructional methods. Three instructional method themes associated with less effective courses were also identified: passive learning, a group-based approach, and a large number of instructional methods. Key characteristics of each theme, along with example courses relative to each theme, are described. Additionally, implications regarding these instructional method themes and recommendations for best practices in research ethics courses are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Ethics
• ethics education
• ethics methods
• ethics training
• instructional methods
• research ethics
• responsible conduct of research

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Kelsey Medeiros, Logan Steele, Tristan McIntosh, Allison Antes, Jason Borenstein, Jeffrey Engler, Michael Kalichman, Brian Martinson, and Michael Verderame for their contributions to the present effort.

Funding

This research was supported by grant number ORIIR140010-01-00 from the Office of Research Integrity. The contents of this publication are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Department of Health and Human Services or the Office of Research Integrity.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by grant number ORIIR140010-01-00 from the Office of Research Integrity. The contents of this publication are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Department of Health and Human Services or the Office of Research Integrity.