Research Ethics (P00941)

? Credit Points : 10 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : MED-P-P00941

This course builds on the knowledge gained in the 'Research Methods and Ethics' course. Students will be able to explore in more depth and detail the ethical issues inherent in conducting both observational and interventional research on health.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : Introduction to Research Methods and Ethics (required), History and Theory of Medical Ethics (recommended)

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Public Health Research, (Medicine, Schedule R)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Block 4 only

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 5 weeks

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Friday	11:10	13:00	Med+Vet

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

1 Knowledge of the types of research used to advance knowledge in health care and what ethical issues are specific to them.
2 Understanding of the concept of equipoise and its importance in the research ethics debate.
3 Knowledge of the key historical events which have shaped attitudes to health research ethics (e.g. Nuremberg Trials, Tuskegee study etc.).
4 Knowledge of the major ethical codes developed with respect to health research and their content and development (e.g. Nuremberg Code, Declaration of Helsinki, CIOMS guidelines).
5 Understanding of the continuum of research involved in developing new pharmaceutical products (pre-human studies through Phase I, II, III & IV trials) and the specific ethical issues involved at each phase.
6 Knowledge and understanding of the key contemporary ethical issues in research, e.g. rights and wrongs of placebo-controlled trials, research in developing countries.
7 Skills: students will be expected to gain an ability to understand and articulate both sides of the argument relating to ethical dilemmas in research and present a coherent account of their own views on such issues.

Assessment Information

Students will have a choice of:
1. Essay on a topic agreed with the instructor;
2. Two or three critical book reviews (i.e. of the type that would be published in a journal) from a prescribed list (or from outwith the list by agreement with the instructor);
3. Practical assignment: e.g. design an ethics committee application form - with detailed and appropriately referenced commentary explaining the design