INTEGRITY High School Research Integrity Course
InstructionsINTEGRITY High School Research Integrity Course
What is this about?
This course on Research Integrity for High school students consists of 9 modules, each of which has been designed to address the main research integrity issues of most relevance to secondary school students. Empowerment of the student for responsible research conduct is at the core of the INTEGRITY course and each of the modules.
The different modules present concrete situations representing different integrity challenges that touch different core integrity issues such as relialability, honesty, respect and accountability.
Although it is recommended to follow the order of the modules and module timelines, the teacher has a high degree of flexibility with this. This flexibility will allow the teacher to adopt alternative pedagogical approaches and alternative module timelines which are more appropriate to the particular circumstances of the student cohort, class timetable, and any other school requirements.
This course was developed in the H2020 INTEGRITY project by Mariëtte van den Hoven, Miriam van Loon, Hesther van Gulick and Eline Borsboom, and funded by EU H2020.
Why is this important?
Practical Tips
Module 1: Technology
The Technology module is designed to focus on and explore the main issues with using technology for school work. This module is important as we interact with advanced technology and artificial intelligence (AI) on a daily basis through our mobile phones and other smart devices which may be in our homes. This means we have access to these devices and a huge variety of content when completing our schoolwork and homework. This technology can be very helpful when we are teaching and learning, but the availability of this powerful technology can also allow us to act unethically and engage in poor research conduct. An improved knowledge of how to use these technologies in a responsible and ethical way (research integrity) is now more important than ever, and likely to be even more important over the coming years as the technology advances.
Module 2: At what cost? Re-thinking Fast-Fashion Industry
This module aims to equip students with the knowledge to comprehend the meaning and importance of research integrity through the lens of a subject that is highly debated in our society and through which students can easily engage and discuss research integrity issues. The primary focus of this module is on research integrity. We have chosen to pair it with the issue of fast-fashion to allow for a wider ethical discussion through a topic that is relevant to the target audience.
Module 3: Sounds in the Age of Social Media
This module aims to equip students with the knowledge to understand the meaning and importance of research integrity through the lens of a subject that is highly relatable in our society and through which students can easily engage and discuss research integrity issues. The primary focus of this module is on research integrity. We have chosen to pair it with the subject of music to allow for a wider ethical discussion through a subject that is relevant to the target audience. The music industry has changed significantly in the last decade, along with the listening habits of those under 25.
Module 4: Genetic Testing
This module aims to equip students with the knowledge to comprehend the meaning and importance of research integrity. This will be achieved through a practical hands-on approach, where videos about key aspects of genetic tests, followed by fictional cases, outlining research integrity issues in genetic tests research, will be presented. We aim for students to identify and relate such examples of research misconduct and questionable research practices in genetic tests research, with their own practices when doing school assignments. This will engage students in a group discussion and to critically reflect on the importance of acting with responsibility and honesty in their own school work and life.
Module 5: Data Transmission
The Data Transmission module is designed to provide a practical experience of how information and data gets misunderstood, distorted, and reinterpreted as it is transmitted between people. This module is based on the ‘childrens game of ‘Telephone’’ which is used to illustrate the importance of tracking down the original source of any story or piece of data, especially if this data is to be used for research or schoolwork. By systematically playing the game and reflecting on its results, the importance of responsibility in research; how and when to verify a message; how to recognize a piece of information as trustworthy; and the role played by trust in data transmission protocols will be highlighted. In addition, the student will develop a personal awareness of how information is transmitted through listening, hearing, and understanding. Students will also develop an appreciation of how this is closely linked to the data protocols of sending, accepting, and processing.
Module 6: Art, Activism & Awareness
This module aims to equip students with the knowledge to comprehend the meaning and importance of research integrity through the lens of a subject that is highly relatable in our society and through which students can easily engage and discuss research integrity issues. The primary focus of this module is on research integrity. We have chosen to pair it with the subject of Art to allow for a wider ethical discussion through a subject that is relevant to the target audience.
Module 7: Space Exploration
The goal of this module is to explore and question ethical issues in research using the themes of space science and space exploration. The end goal is not to become a topic expert, but to use space exploration as a vehicle to speculate and question issues around research integrity and research ethics. The themes will be explored using various teaching approaches including a walking debate and a design task which involves building a space habitat. These are designed to challenge students to create, collaborate and question what research integrity looks like in an applied group challenge.
Module 8: Animal Experimentation
This session aims to equip students with the knowledge to comprehend the meaning and importance of research integrity. This will be achieved through a practical hands-on approach, where real and fictional cases, outlining research integrity issues in biomedical research using animals, will be presented. We aim for students to identify and relate such examples of research misconduct and questionable research practices, with their own school work practices and environment. This will engage students in a group discussion and critical reflection about the importance of acting responsibly and with honesty in their own school work and within their life.
Module 9: Epidemiology
Epidemiology is the branch of medicine which deals with the incidence, distribution, and control of diseases and other factors relating to health. The word ‘epidemiology’ is derived from Greek and literally means ‘the study of what is upon the people’. Epidemiology is widely applied to cover the description and causation of epidemic and infectious diseases such as COVID-19, but also of diseases in general including their related conditions. Thus, epidemiologists are interested in examining other areas of healthcare such as high blood pressure, mental illness, diabetes and obesity.
