Course Details in 2023/24 Session

Module Title	Ethics in Research
School	Institute of Clinical Sciences
Department	Institute of Clinical Sciences
Module Code	01 18351
Module Lead	Dr H Draper
Level	Honours Level
Credits	10
Semester	Semester 1
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	Intercalated BMedSc (Health Care Ethics and Law)
Exclusions
Description	This module introduces students to the ethical issues surrounding the use of human participants in research. It will look at international codes such as the Declaration of Helsinki, consent and confidentiality in research, the balance of harms and benefits in determining whether research is ethical, the on-going debate about the validity of therapeutic/non-therapeutic distinction, the particular needs of vulnerable patients (such as children or people with learning disabilities), research on retained tissue (including genetics research), the use of placebos, research ethics committees, research in developing countries, the publication of research findings, and the ethical arguments about the use of animals in research (including a consideration of the moral status of animals). The content will reflect the needs for students to develop argument skills and an ability to evaluate different and competing viewpoints.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module the student should be able to: Demonstrate a sound and broad understanding of the ethical implications of the use of human participants in medical research; Demonstrate an understanding of the arguments for and against the use of animals in research; Demonstrate an understanding about how to evaluate the ethical aspects of research protocols.
Assessment	18351-01 : Assignment : Coursework (100%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: 1 x 3,000 word essay, from a pre-set list of questions (100% of module mark) Reassessment: This module belongs to a programme that is considered to be equivalent to the final year of a three-year degree programme with regards to assessment. No opportunity for resubmission is available.
Other
Reading List	Various journal articles from the Kennedy Institute of Ethics journal. Doyle, L & Tobias, J S. 2000. Informed Consent in Medical Research; London.