COMP 601/CAAM 601: Research Ethics Seminar

Background

Misconduct in science affects us all. It undermines public trust in the results and methods of science and threatens public funding and support for scientific research. This case-based course will focus on incidents and issues commonly encountered in the preparation, conduct, and reporting of scientific research. Topics covered include professional issues such as peer review, conducting research, authorship, research fraud, and conflicts of interest. Bioethics issues will not be covered in this course.

The purpose of this course is to engage current (and potential) research trainees in discussions about proper and improper scientific conduct. Each meeting will focuses on at least one key case illustrating one or more of these issues. In keeping with the complex, and often personal dimensions of these issues, emphasis is on interactive discussion. The case facilitator serves as a discussion leader, but the value of each session depends on each participants prior preparation and in-class involvement.

Basic Information