Virtue ethics applied under current research conditions

Instructions

Virtue ethics applied under current research conditions

Instructions for:TraineeTrainer

Related Initiative

Initiative:72c17801-2e2b-4c06-adb9-f81cb0c77704

Goal

This eLearning module aims to reflect on the concern that the current research culture may constitute conditions that could undermine a virtue ethics approach, and make it more likely for researchers to develop some vices. Systemic issues and its relation to research integrity and virtue ethics highlighted.

Requirements

You need to have a background in research (i.e. be employed as researchers) or be a trainer/educator/teacher who has had experience in research in the past.

Duration (hours)

1

For whom is this important?

Research itegrity trainersResearchersTrainers in training

Method

Blended learning eLearning

Part of

VIRT2UE

Steps

1Performative Culture in Research

2Cognitive Dissonance & Moral Distress in Research

3Why We Justify Unethical Behaviour

4To Make a Virtue of Necessity

What is this about?

By taking this interactive module you will learn about and reflect on:

• Your experience of cognitive dissonance in a research related context: You will be guided in recognizing the relevance and dynamics of cognitive dissonance within the research process.

• The necessity and risks of applying self-justification strategies: You will be guided and invited to reflect on the self-justification strategies you might use, and the possible unintended consequences they might lead to, like the development of cognitive biases.

• The most relevant breach of research integrity in your discipline and possible self-justification strategies: After identifying the most relevant violation of research integrity in your discipline you will be invited to write different types of self-justification strategies.

Practical Tips

Please note that no information will be saved or stored after you have closed the browser window/tab. This has two major implications: (1) Whenever you close your browser window/tab, your progress will not be saved and you will have to start the module anew. It is not necessary to complete the course in one go, but recommended to leave the browser window/tab open (and the computer/laptop running). (2) In case you aim to save your reflections, you are kindly asked to copy/paste your input in a separate document and save it on your computer, BEFORE you submit your input (A print-out solution is planned, but is not available yet).

1

Take the online module

Click on the link http://courses.embassy.science/virtue_ethics_applied_under_current_research_conditions/story.html

Remarks

This training has been developed by the VIRT2UE project, which has received funding form the European Union’s H2020 research programme under grant agreement N 741782.

Steps

1Performative Culture in Research

2Cognitive Dissonance & Moral Distress in Research

3Why we justify unethical behaviour

4To make a virtue of necessity

What is this about?

This interactive e-learning module supports users in reflecting on possible circumstances that might undermine a good research and and prevent researhers from developing virtues. By taking this modules learners will:

• Reflect on their experience of cognitive dissonance in a research related context. Both in explaining and demonstrating the underlying dynamics and relevance of cognitive dissonance for the research process, learners are likely to experience this psychological discomfort, and reflect upon it.

• Reflect on the necessity and risks of applying self-justification strategies. Both in explaining and demonstrating the underlying dynamics informing the application of self-justification strategies in research, learners are invited to reflect on the self-justification strategies they use, and the possible unintended consequences, like the development of cognitive biases.

• Select the most relevant breach of research integrity in their discipline and invent self-justification strategies. In a two-step exercise, learners are first required to choose the most relevant violation of research integrity in their discipline. Then, they are asked to write different types of self-justification strategies (e.g. denial of responsibility, trivialization) that have previously introduced to them with the example of honorary authorship.

Practical Tips

Please note that no information will be saved or stored after users have closed the browser window/tab. This has two major implications: (1) Whenever users close their browser window/tab, their progress will not be saved and they will have to start the module anew. It is not necessary to complete the course in one go, but recommended to leave the browser window/tab open (and the computer/laptop running). (2) In case users aim to save their reflections, they are kindly asked to copy/paste their input in a separate document and save it on their computer.

1

Experience the online module

Click on the link http://courses.embassy.science/virtue_ethics_applied_under_current_research_conditions/story.html

Remarks

This training has been developed by the VIRT2UE project, which has received funding form the European Union’s H2020 research programme under grant agreement N 741782.

Other information

Who

• VIRT2UE

Where

• Europe