69511 Ethics in Human Research
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 2 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 60105 Ethics in Human Research
Description
This subject introduces students to ethical concepts as they apply to queries in conducting human subject research. Students are taught the principles that form the governing codes, legislation and regulations, the processes of research governance and the importance of ethics in the research landscape. They identify principal issues in case studies and current examples and delve into the complexities surrounding consent and vulnerable participants. This subject also focuses on the important ethical considerations relating to a range of research methods and fields to help students prepare for similar situations in a range of professional contexts.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Interpret and examine the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research |
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| 2. | Distinguish the principles of ethics related to the conduct of human research |
| 3. | Explore human research ethics challenges and consider solutions to these problems |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:
- Critically appraise and apply advanced knowledge and technical skills to discipline specific projects to inform professional practice in science and medical biotechnology. (1.1)
- Develop, prepare, and engage, at times collaboratively, in safe, ethical, organised and transparent work practices that mitigate risk and contribute to solving global health problems in the context of science and medical biotechnology. (3.1)
- Present and communicate complex ideas and justifications using appropriate communication approaches from a variety of methods (oral, written, visual) to communicate with discipline experts, scientists, industry, and the general public. (5.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This subject is intended to assess the following graduate attributes:
Graduate Attribute 1 - Disciplinary knowledge:
Through this subject, you will gain foundational knowledge about ethics in human research including the legislation, regulations as well as value and principles of ethics. You will engage with a range of materials that will help broaden your knowledge of the landscape of human ethics and the complexities that are involved when acting as professional scientists. The process and procedures that are carried out in order to achieve best practice when conducting research on humans is learnt in this subject. These skills will be applicable in a range of professional contexts both inside science and in a broader academic environment.
Graduate Attribute 3 – Professional, ethical and social responsibility:
This subject will allow you to develop an understanding of the complex professional, ethical and social responsibility that all stakeholders in human research must be aware of. As part of the subject you will also investigate the values and principles behind human research and apply these to a case study. You will also be able to identify ethics in different research methods and fields and explain its importance in the landscape of science more generally. As the subject develops, you will learn about research participants and vulnerable populations to ensure, that as a researcher, the complexities of ethics in human research are considered.
Graduate attribute 5 – Communication:
You will be given the opportunity to develop your communication skills through written reflective essays that focus on individual knowledge and opinion regarding the topic of ethics and humans. You will need to critically articulate their opinion on the use of humans in research and engage with subject content on a broad stakeholder perspective. You will need to communicate the existing legal and regulatory framework as well as the practices required for research involving human participants.
Teaching and learning strategies
This subject will be delivered entirely online through the learning platform CANVAS. You will work through content areas or ‘modules’ which are designed to build your knowledge in the foundational aspects of ethics in human research.
At the beginning of the subject you will be introduced to the topic and start to interact with a range of materials in different formats. All materials are designed to provide you with an active learning experience and you will be expected to think critically about the information you receive. You will have the opportunity to connect with your peers during the subject by using the discussion board within CANVAS, allowing you to ask questions of each other and discuss the subject content. At the end of each module you will be assessed on your comprehension of the topic with a quiz. Each quiz will give you the opportunity to deepen your knowledge introduced in the online spaces.
The assessments will provide you with the opportunity to refine your knowledge and improve your skills as you progress. To further build on your skills throughout the semester you will receive automatic feedback/marks from the online quizzes and you will also receive online written feedback for your reflection assessments.
Content (topics)
The topics covered in this subject are:
- Introduction to Human Ethics
- Values and Principles of Human Ethics
- Consent
- Ethics in Different Research Methods and Fields
- Participants and Vulnerable Populations
- Processes of Research Ethics Governance
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Discussion and Reflection- The Importance of Ethics
| Intent: | The following graduate attributes are assessed in this task: 3. Professional, ethical and social responsibility 5. Communication |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 3.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 15% |
| Criteria: | After your participation in a brief online discussion (participation is worth 5%), you will be mark on a short reflection of your opinion of human ethics and the Nuremberg Code (marked out of 10%). Your reflection will be assessed on the following criteria:
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Assessment task 2: Module Multiple Choice and Short Answer Quizzes
| Intent: | The following graduate attributes are assessed in this task: 1. Disciplinary knowledge 3. Professional, ethical and social responsibility |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1 and 3.1 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 50% |
| Criteria: | Correct responses to multiple choice questions and demonstration of comprehension and critical thinking in short answer responses. The short answers will ask the students to develop their critical thoughts in regards to a specific topic (modules 1, 2 and 3). |
Assessment task 3: Written submission
| Intent: | The following graduate attributes are assessed in this task: 3. Professional, ethical and social responsibility 5. Communication |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 3.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 35% |
| Criteria: | Your reflection will be assessed on the following criteria:
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Minimum requirements
Students must obtain a minimum of 50% for the cumulative marks in the subject in order to pass.