Research Ethics

Scientific knowledge and research involving human subjects raise a range of ethical questions at the intersection of ethics, epistemology, and professional ethics. 
Biology relies on animals; in medicine, clinical trials are conducted with patients; in schools, students and teachers test approaches that inform the field of educational science; citizens and users are exposed to technologies that exploit their personal data; and so on. 

Research ethics, taken in a broad sense, thus encompasses a whole range of issues related to the relationship between science and society, including both long-standing and emerging challenges. The “Research Ethics” course combines instruction on the fundamentals of research ethics (the relationship between science and values; the foundations of ethics; the concepts of risk and precaution) with more applied aspects. In particular, students will examine examples drawn from the history and current events of science (scientific fraud, manipulation, and controversies; issues of North-South justice, etc.). They will learn about the various normative frameworks that aim to regulate the conduct of research today, particularly research that directly involves living beings (human or non-human). They will be made aware of the procedures to be implemented in their own research (reporting back to participants, respect for anonymity, secondary uses of research data, etc.) and will be encouraged to develop their reflective skills and learn to take a critical stance within the “innovation society.” 

In particular, education researchers are increasingly using audiovisual materials to illustrate their work or as research data. They have a particular need to understand the legal and ethical framework governing the use of these audiovisual materials (right to one’s own image, privacy protection, right to be forgotten, etc.). In some cases, applying this framework poses particular challenges, especially with the advancement of digital technology and the expanding possibilities for recording. 

Another challenge, common to all fields of academic research, concerns plagiarism—a phenomenon that is also linked to digital technology and the current changes in documentation practices and resource sharing. 

The module will place significant emphasis on case studies from the field of educational research. It will also involve examining the ethical review frameworks developed at universities abroad (e.g., Canada, the Netherlands, etc.) and reflecting on their suitability for research practices in education and the social sciences. 

100% Final Exam: Oral presentation of a case study prepared in a group. 

Demonstrated Skills (Specific, Cross-Functional)  

• Conduct a reflective and objective analysis that takes into account the challenges, issues, and complexity of a request or situation in order to propose appropriate and/or innovative solutions in line with regulatory changes
• Apply and promote the principles of ethics, professional conduct, and environmental responsibility