EHR 1105 Introduction to Research Ethics
Course Description
This course is an overview of research ethics, focusing on the ethics research in human and social sciences. This course will cover the following: a) historical background, principles, and guidelines of research ethics; b) structure, roles, and functions of research ethics committees; c) ethical considerations in research ethics such as those related to informed consent, privacy and confidentiality, conflict of interest, vulnerability, risk and benefit evaluation, research integrity and scientific misconduct, and authorship, and publication; and d) ethical issues and methodologies in different research fields (science based research and social science based research) in the context of national, regional, and international collaborative research.
Course objectives
The general objectives of this course are: a) demonstrate a common understanding of the ethical principles in research ethics and b) utilize the ethical principles in reviewing different considerations and issues related to various research fields.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the course the student should have learnt the following:
 historical background, principles, and guidelines of research ethics;
 structure, roles, and functions of research ethics committees;
 ethical considerations in research ethics such as informed consent, privacy and confidentiality, conflict of interest, vulnerability, risk and benefit evaluation, research integrity and scientific misconduct, and authorship, and publication; and
 ethical issues and methodologies in different research fields (science based research and social science based research) in the national context.
Course Outline
1.
Introduction
2.
Historical background, principles, and guidelines of research ethics;
3.
Structure, roles, and functions of research ethics committees;
4.
Ethical considerations in research ethics such as informed consent, privacy and confidentiality, conflict of interest, vulnerability, risk and benefit evaluation, research integrity and scientific misconduct, and authorship, and publication; and
5.
Ethical issues and methodologies in different research fields (science based research and social science based research) in the context of national
6.
Conclusions
Methodology
This course will to a large extent be organized as interactive learning where the students will work on a number of problem cases which illustrate the main points made in the lectures and

presentations.
Assessment Mode
Take home exercise 15%
Practical exercise test 15%
End of semester examination 70%
Reading List
High, D. M., Whitehouse, P. J., Post, S. G., Berg, L., "Guidelines for Addressing Ethical and
Legal Issues in Alzheimer Disease Research: A Position Paper." Alzheimer Disease and
Associated Disorders (1994) 8 (Suppl. 4): 66-74.
Kawas, CH, Clark, MC, Farlow, MR, et. al., "Clinical Trials in Alzheimer's Disease: Debate on the Use of Placebo Controls." Alzheimer's Disease and Associated Disorders. 13(3): 124-129;
1999.
Post, S G., "Why the Tolerance of Potential Harms? Research Ethics in Alzheimer Disease."
Accountability in Research 7: 241-253; 1999.