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Unit of study_

BETH5202: Research Ethics

Semester 2, 2021 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study critically examines research ethics in its wider context, from how research is structured to its dissemination. It explores the ethical underpinnings of a variety of research methods and their uses in humans and non-human animals including the justifications for engaging in research, key concepts in research ethics and research integrity. The unit also briefly examines the history of research and the impact of research abuse on participants, both human and non-human animal.

Unit details and rules

Unit code BETH5202
Academic unit Public Health
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
BETH5208
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

A three-year undergraduate degree in science, medicine, nursing, allied health sciences, philosophy/ethics, sociology/anthropology, law, history, or other relevant field, or by special permission.

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Diego Silva, diego.silva@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Long essay
Normative ethics essay
50% Formal exam period
Due date: 22 Nov 2021 at 17:00
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignment Online posts
Best three of your weekly online discussion posts
15% Formal exam period
Due date: 22 Nov 2021 at 17:00
900-1200 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignment Short essay
Short normative ethics essay
30% Week 07
Due date: 20 Sep 2021 at 17:00
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Assignment Weekly tasks
Online discussion post
5% Weekly 300-400 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

From Assessment Procedures 2011 "7A (4) For every calendar day up to and including ten calendar days after the due date, a penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to late work. (a) The penalty will be calculated by first marking the work, and then subtracting 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. (5) For work submitted more than ten calendar days after the due date a mark of zero will be awarded. The marker may elect to, but is not required to, provide feedback on such work." For all the relevant details, please refer to the university's Assessment Procedures 2011.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Why Research Ethics? The Basics Block teaching (10 hr) LO1
Week 02 A Brief History of Research Ethics Block teaching (10 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 03 Australian and global regulations Block teaching (10 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 04 Ethics and Uncertainty: Part I Block teaching (10 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 05 Ethics and Uncertainty: Part II Block teaching (10 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 06 Autonomy: Part I Block teaching (10 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 07 Autonomy: Part II Block teaching (10 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 08 Harm Block teaching (10 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 09 Risk and Vulnerability Block teaching (10 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 10 Clinical Trials Block teaching (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 11 Public Health Block teaching (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 12 Vaccine Challenge Studies Block teaching (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 13 Why Research Ethics? Looking Forward Block teaching (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings will be available online via the unit’s Canvas website.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. outline and critique the main ethical problems and associated arguments that arise in relation to human and non-human animal research
  • LO2. engage in debate on issues involving human and non-human animal research
  • LO3. formulate a view on what makes ‘ethical’ research and researchers.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.