ACADEMIC INTEGRITY AND RESEARCH ETHICS
Link to the Ethics
Course Website
OVERVIEW
The Research Ethics course is an annual event held at
the coastal town of Beaufort, N.C., each year prior
to the fall semester. Incoming graduate students from
across the biomedical science Departments and Programs
attend the two day course at the Duke Marine Labs. The
course curriculum is presently coordinated by Anne
Marie Pendergast and David
McClay, and includes a
number of additional faculty members and current graduate
students. While the course is a required part of the
CMB curriculum, the course is more fun than work, as
you can see from the photos.
Billed as the "Largest Speedboat in the World," this
boat took us out to Shackleford Island for an afternoon
in the sun.
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EXPECTATIONS
Awareness through discourse. Academic integrity
and research ethics are fundamental to the practice of
science. The course provides a means to raise awareness
of ethical issues. The informal gatherings and discussions
are as important to the success of the course as the 12
hours of formal content. A variety of social events promotes
camaraderie and encourages open discussion and debate
in the more formal sessions. THE COURSE
Relaxed ambience but serious content. In the past,
large group sessions have covered topics including:
- Conflict of Interest,
- Dubious Manipulation and Fabrication of Data,
- The Discovery and Reporting of Scientific Misconduct,
- The Duke Honor Code,
- A Scientific Misconduct Legal Case Study, including
Due Process issues,
- Issues of Authorship, Ownership and Responsibility,
- The Social Impact of Science,
- and many others.
Small groups meet following each larger session to facilitate
open discussion and to encourage active participation
among faculty and students alike.
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Overall, 97% of attending students have rated their
experience as very good to excellent. A representative
comment reads, "I learned about ethical situations,
possible solutions and where to turn for help. I also
met many new students and professors in a friendly informal
setting." The Marine Labs are considered an ideal
setting by the all participants, and the boat trip to
Shackleford Island and the Carolina beaches is universally
praised.
Link to the 2004
Ethics Course Website
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