C6.M2 When good research goes bad: avoiding some pitfalls

Course description:

The course consists of a workshop of four hours. The workshop starts with an introductory video in which a well-known case of scientific fraud is shown. The main part of the course consists of two or three activities, each of which focuses on a specific sub-area of scientific integrity. Scientific virtues and duties such as proper attribution, avoiding conflicts of interest, honesty, transparency, and Robert Merton’s four elements of the scientific ethos.

The activities are introduced by a presentation of a taxonomy for scientific integrity breeches. We will discuss the role of academic/scientific integrity in the ethos of science, and review some notable cases involving lapses in scientific integrity. The nature of these cases, and their effects on research institutions, public perceptions of science, and future research are provided as context for ethical scientific practices expected of all researchers at TU Delft and elsewhere. The workshop concludes with a case study posing a number of potential issues regarding scientific integrity. Participants will be asked to work in groups to identify the issues raised and present their views to the workshop for discussion. 

Learning objectives:

After the workshop, the PhD students will be able to recognize potential scientific integrity issues in their own research or in their research group, will be able to analyze these issues and to discuss them with others.

Teaching method:

Socratic dialogue, working group break-outs, lecture, and video presentation.

Course Enrolment

If you would like to enrol in this course, please fill out the "Course Enrolment Form" and e-mail this to graduateschool@remove-this.tudelft.nl. If you would like to take more than one course, please fill out one form per course. Enrolment forms stating more than one course will not be processed. 

About the Lecturer(s)/Coach(es)

David is an author, philosopher, attorney, and educator whose recent research focuses on the nexus of science, technology, ethics, and public policy. He teaches at the Delft University of Technology, and lives in The Netherlands. He has provided commentary regarding ethics, society, religion, and technology on: MSNBC, Fox News Channel, The Guardian, The Washington Times, NPR Radio, Radio Free Europe, Air America, The Atlanta Journal Constitution, and the Associated Press, among others.