Instructions

Modified Dilemma Game

Instructions for:TraineeTrainer

Goal

This exercise supports participants in identifying research integrity (RI) principles, virtues and misconduct in a case and provides a framework to consider, choose and defend alternative courses of action regarding realistic dilemmas in research integrity.

Requirements

You need to have read the instructions before experiencing the exercise.

Moreover, you need to be familiar with:

a) The concept of virtue and its importance for RI;

b) The concept of norm;

c) The concept of moral dilemma;

d) Section 1 of the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity.

In order to fruitfully take part in this exercise 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)

2

Participants

20

For whom is this important?

Research integrity trainersTrainers in trainingResearchers

Method

Face to Face Participatory sessions

Part of

Steps

5Dialogue about the individual choices

6Filling out the tables

7Short presentation of the group discussions

8Plenary debriefs

9Conclusions

What is this about?

The Rotterdam Dilemma Game (RDG) is a card game composed of dilemmas concerning a variety of research integrity issues. As the dilemmas are based on real cases, they are recognizable and relevant to those who take part in research activities. The game was developed by the Erasmus University Rotterdam for the use of researchers, coordinators, supervisors, administrators, reviewers, and all of those who are involved in research at different levels. The game covers 75 cases, each involving a short description of a dilemma, which are grouped in three main categories: researcher position, research strategy and research phase. Players can pick a case which corresponds to the issue they would like to discuss.

The game may be used as an exercise for exchanging experiences, opinions, perspectives and justifications. It could also be used to develop a shared understanding of formally defined principles and the moral content of our actions, as well as of roles of values and norms in decision-making. The original game kit developed by the Erasmus University Rotterdam was adapted in the context of VIRT2UE project. The aim of this modification is to raise awareness about virtues and values in research processes and to bring attention to the principles adopted by the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity (ECoC). Concordantly, the modified RDG has several alterations, such as focusing on a dialogical approach while exchanging justifications for a moral choice and associating them with the virtues and values presented in the ECoC.

Why is this important?

Reflecting on a variety of moral dilemmas with others in a fun way makes researchers gain awareness about the moral content of their day-to-day decisions and actions. That might lead them to consider and understand other stakeholders’ positions and justifications as well as their own in the light of RI values and ECoC principles when faced a specific moral dilemma.

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