ETHICS in research is a transdisciplinary, international affair defined by 6 elements suspiciously similar to those which define the scientific method.
2. Doing it diligently
Ethics: What is it?
in general
in the research environment
in research performed in various fields
Katherine Watson, Coastline Distance Learning, Fountain Valley, CA
2
3. Doing it diligently
Ethics: What is it not?
immutable, specific-case rules
religion or religious dogma/faith
morals or moral relativism
Katherine Watson, Coastline Distance Learning, Fountain Valley, CA
3
4. Doing it diligently
Ethics: Why should we care?
Think about the alternatives….
We’re all in this world together
Katherine Watson, Coastline Distance Learning, Fountain Valley, CA
4
5. Doing it diligently
Ethics: Who should care?
Building & safety personnel
Medical professionals
Chemists, biologists
Engineers
Others
You?
Katherine Watson, Coastline Distance Learning, Fountain Valley, CA
5
6. Doing it diligently
Scientific Method & Code of Ethics
Scientific method: 6 stages
Code of ethics: 6 elements
Katherine Watson, Coastline Distance Learning, Fountain Valley, CA
6
7. Doing it diligently
Six elements of ethical research
1. Why? Question formulation
2. Wherefore? Research & hypothesis
3. How? Experimentation, testing
4. What? Analysis
5. What next? Conclusion
6. Where? Dissemination
Katherine Watson, Coastline Distance Learning, Fountain Valley, CA
7
8. Why?
Formulating a (good) research question
Stating the problem
Pondering the “inner”
Katherine Watson, Coastline Distance Learning, Fountain Valley, CA
8
10. How? Performance
Experimentation, testing
What is an experiment?
What is objectivity?
What is empiricality?
What is replicability?
How to decide on which tests?
How to choose which statistics?
Katherine Watson, Coastline Distance Learning, Fountain Valley, CA
10
11. How much? How many?
Analysis
“Reading” the test results
Exploiting the statistics
Using the quantitative
Using the qualitative
Katherine Watson, Coastline Distance Learning, Fountain Valley, CA
11
12. What? What next?
Conclusions
Validity v. truth
What has been learned?
What does this lead to?
Predictions & prospects
Katherine Watson, Coastline Distance Learning, Fountain Valley, CA
12
14. Doing it diligently: 4 examples
Ethics: How to execute, transnationally
Dalai Lama tripartite route
inner, outer, outermost
Global Ethics in research route
Society for Ethics route
Consider altruism
Katherine Watson, Coastline Distance Learning, Fountain Valley, CA
14
15. Doing it diligently: Dalai Lama
Ethics: Example course for the incarcerated
1. sit in a circle
2. perform “centering” to relax
3. review previous session assignment
4. reflect, analyze, discuss
5. relate past to present
6. propose
Katherine Watson, Coastline Distance Learning, Fountain Valley, CA
15
16. Doing it diligently: “Global Ethics”
Ethics: An example course in EU
Learning objectives
After working through the course materials,
you should be able to explain why ethics is
important, identify the major sorts of ethical
questions, and recognize different approaches
to ethical decision-making, including your own.
(from Nettkurs, Norway)
Katherine Watson, Coastline Distance Learning, Fountain Valley, CA
16
17. Doing it diligently: Globethics
Ethics: Example questions in example course
Who decides what is ethical?
Does ethics change?
Does ethics differ from one country to another?
How do institutions decide what is ethical?
How do individuals decide what is ethical?
Conclusion
Suggestions for further reading
(Nettkurs, Norway)
Katherine Watson, Coastline Distance Learning, Fountain Valley, CA
17
18. Doing it: Society for Ethics across the Curriculum
Ethics: Example curriculum
What? Introduction & terminology
e.g., deontology, utilitarianism, moral reason
How? The case study method
e.g., in scientific, technical, research fields
Why? The ethics of teaching ethics
(Illinois Institute of Technology Center for the Study
of Ethics in the Professions)
Katherine Watson, Coastline Distance Learning, Fountain Valley, CA
18
19. Doing it diligently: Altruism?
Why should ethics infuse everything, particularly in STEM?
A. To increase sensitivity to ethics
B. To increase knowledge relevant to ethics
C. To improve ethical judgment at all stages of research
D. To improve will power (strengthen "ethical commitment")
How can ethics be infused into everything?
A. Do several little things requiring judgment
B. Discuss everything at all stages, search, re-search
C. Develop a long-term, transdisciplinary plan
D. Think globally and for the great good
19
20. Do it diligently
Scientific Method + Ethics >
Transdisciplinary perspectives
International propositions
Shared success
Katherine Watson, Coastline Distance Learning, Fountain Valley, CA
20