Scientific Integrity

online course

Description

Scientific work is based on the honesty of scientists towards themselves and others. This is both an ethical norm and the basis for good scientific practice. Ensuring the validity and application of these rules in practice is therefore a core task of science and universities.

 

In the context of the Online Course "Scientific Integrity", interdisciplinary relevant topics are presented with regard to good scientific practice. Based on the definition and principles of scientific integrity, the course covers aspects such as honesty, research criteria and quality criteria for good scientific research, ensuring good scientific practice, scientific misconduct, research ethics, research data management, responsibility for supervision and conflicts of interest as well as diversity and cooperation in science.

Objective

After successfully completing the course, early stage researchers and employees

• know the principles of scientific integrity

• know the definition, forms and relevance of scientific misconduct

• know relevant normative issues in science, such as conflicts of interest or misconduct, and know possible solutions

• understand the relevance of research ethics

• understand the relevance of diversity in science

• know the tasks of research data management

• understand possible types of cooperation in science

• do reflect on their own responsibility in research and science

Content

Topics Overview

1. WHAT IS SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY?

• Definition of Scientific Integrity

• Definition of Honesty

• Research as Knowledge Gain

• Principles of Scientific Integrity

• Criteria of Research and Classical Quality Criteria of Scientific Research

2. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SAFEGUARDING SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY

• Claim for Universality

• Recommendations to Ensure Good Scientific Practice

• Principles of Good Scientific Practice at RWTH University

3. SCIENTIFIC MISCONDUCT

• Definition of Scientific Misconduct

• Types of Scientific Misconduct

• Joint Responsibility for Misconduct of Others

• What to Do about Scientific Misconduct?

4. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND RESEARCH ETHICS

   • Research Ethics

• Freedom of Research

• Risk Analysis and Impact Assessment

• Dual-Use-Problem

• Social Responsibility of Organizations, DIN ISO 26000

5. DIVERSITY IN SCIENCE

• Diversity in the Science System

• Practical Examples on Diversity

• Responsibility of Supervisors and Assistants

• Promotion of Scientific Staff and of Doctoral Projects

6. DEALING WITH RESEARCH DATA AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

• Research Data

• Tasks in the Life Cycle of Research Data and Research Data Management

• Cooperation in Science

• Conflicts of Interest and their Prevention

Exam (compulsory for doctoral candidates & voluntary for employees)

The exam will take place via Dynexite and is offered twice per semester, with the dates announced at the beginning of the semester. The duration of the exam is 30 minutes. The minimum pass score is 60%. All contents of the learning room are relevant for the exam unless otherwise announced.

No "final failure” scores apply. The results are recorded positive: “passed” or negative: “5.0.

For doctoral candidates, postdocs and employees the results are recorded in the Division 12.1 – Career Development Young Researchers and Talent Management.

If the exam is passed, the certificate for doctoral candidates, postdocs, and employees is deposited in the participant portal of the Division 12.1 – Career Development Young Researchers and Talent Management.

Exam dates in the winter semester 2023/2024:

• Monday, 30.10.2023, 09.00 am - 2.00 pm*

• Thursday, 25.01.2024, 09.00 am - 2.00 pm*

*The duration of the exam is 30 minutes and is to be completed between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm.

Lecturer:

Univ.-Prof. Dr. phil. Carmen Petra Leicht-Scholten, Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Dr. med. dent. Dr. phil. Dominik Groß

Course coordination:

Ralitza Bliznakov, Nataliya Sira

Target Audience

Doctoral candidates and all employees of RWTH Aachen University

In addition, all employees of RWTH Aachen University who have a TIM ID can take part in the course.

IMPORTANT!

According to some doctoral regulations of the faculties, the completion of a course to ensure good scientific practice at RWTH is mandatory for the application for admission to the doctoral examination. The Center for Doctoral Studies (CDS) offers various formats for this purpose:

1. RWTH online course "Scientific Integrity" (self-study course with subsequent examination).

2. Workshop "Gute Wissenschaftliche Praxis" / "Good Scientific Practice" (1-day, 1 ½-day or 2-day; without examination).

Please contact the doctoral office of your faculty for information and, if necessary, consult with your supervisor regarding the required course content and scope.

Further Information on Target Audience

The prerequisite for admission to doctoral studies according to the valid doctoral regulations is the completion of a course on "Scientific Integrity". In this sense, the completion of the RWTH online course "Scientific Integrity" or an equivalent achievement is recognised. If this online course or an equivalent achievement has already been completed as part of a Bachelor's or Master's degree programme at RWTH, the achievement does not have to be repeated. The respective doctoral committee decides on the recognition of equivalent achievements.

In addition, all employees of RWTH Aachen University who have a TIM log in can participate in the course.