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Introduction to Research Ethics: Working with People

Find out the basics of research ethics so you can ensure your research projects are ethical, with this online course from the University of Leeds.

Duration

2 weeks

Weekly study

4 hours

100% online

How it works

Unlimited subscription

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Ensure your research is up to the highest ethical standards

Research ethics is vital when conducting research with people. Non ethical research may put research subjects at risk and even jeopardise the validity of the findings. As we undertake more and more research using increasingly diverse methods like the internet, it is important to get it right the first time.

On this course, you will learn the principles of ethical research, and how to manage human subject research in sensitive and appropriate ways. You will consider issues like gaining consent, making sure that personal information is handled safely, and recruiting vulnerable participants.

This course has been ranked as one of the best online courses of all time by online course aggregator class central.

Week 1
Working with people
- Welcome
  Welcome to Introduction to Research Ethics: Working with People. This course explores the ethical considerations and issues involved when conducting research with people.
- Research ethics: why it matters
  Why is it important that we have codes of ethics in research? This activity explores the history of research ethics and the events which led to the creation of a set of principles defining ethical research practices.
- What are the ethical considerations when recruiting people to your research?
  This activity focuses on selecting appropriate participants, obtaining consent and paying people to take part in experiments.
- Additional considerations for vulnerable participants
  This activity focuses on the recruitment of vulnerable participants and the special considerations or ethical problems that this may pose.
- Summary
  This final section provides you with an opportunity to reflect on what you have learned so far, and discusses the topics you will be exploring next week.
Week 2
Responsibilities towards participants and their data
- Welcome to Week 2
  In Week 2, you will explore your responsibilities towards your participants. The week finishes with the opportunity to review your current research practices in light of what you have learned on the course.
- Could your research cause harm?
  This activity builds on the principles discussed in the previous week. It continues along the research study methodology to examine whether your research project has the potential to harm those you have recruited to your study.
- How can you protect your participants personal data?
  This activity looks at how we can keep our participants and their data safe in our research projects.
- What are the ethical issues from researching in archives and online
  In this activity, you will learn about the ethical issues surrounding the use of other people’s studies and results, and archival studies.
- Summary
  The course ends with an opportunity to reflect on whether the course has changed your views on the research ethics and a quiz to test your understanding.