Academic Integrity
This course focuses on ethics and academic integrity in research, with an emphasis on ethical behavior, recognizing academic misconduct, and fostering an environment that promotes ethical research practices. Students will explore ethical challenges in various research domains such as experimentation, animal and human studies, publishing, and collaborations. It will address motivations behind misconduct and emerging threats like predatory journals. The course's ultimate goal is to help students identify ethical issues early on and implement mechanisms to ensure that research adheres to high ethical standards.
Meet the Prof
Course Objectives
01
AI Misconduct & Prevention
The assignment challenges us to examine the ethical concerns surrounding the use of AI in biomedical research. We were tasked with developing a strategic plan that outlines how AI could be misused to commit unethical research practices, such as misconduct in experimentation, scientific writing, animal studies, human studies, publishing, and collaborations. The goal is to explore how AI could potentially amplify these unethical behaviors more effectively than current methods. Additionally, our group must also devise a comprehensive countermeasure to prevent these unethical practices, ensuring that AI is used ethically in biomedical sciences.
02
Misconduct Scenario
We anaylzed scenarios that involve potential misconduct in academic and professional environments, working in groups to answer specific questions related to the scenario. The aim was to use class discussions to generate thoughtful responses and critically evaluate behaviors in the workplace. By identifying red flags and understanding professional and non-professional conduct, we learnt how to prevent misconduct. This process was important because it helps us apply ethical principles and encourages a proactive approach to fostering integrity in professional settings. Ultimately, it reinforces how to maintain professionalism and accountability in our future career
03
Misconduct Presentation
In this presentation, we analyzed a scenario that touches on various ethical themes discussed throughout the course. Working in groups, we answered general questions, examine the implications of the scenario, and lead a thought-provoking discussion with the class. Our goal was to evaluate professional and non-professional behaviors in the workplace, while critically considering how individuals should conduct themselves in professional environments. By identifying red flags and discussing the implications, we aimed to foster awareness and prevent misconduct. This exercise is important as it strengthens our ability to recognize and address ethical challenges in real-world professional settings.
Reflection
1
What I learned
In this course, I gained a deeper understanding of the importance of academic integrity. I learned to identify and apply its fundamental principles, while recognizing various forms of misconduct and the serious consequences they carry. Through the evaluation of case studies involving ethical breaches, I developed the ability to spot warning signs and devise strategies to prevent misconduct from occurring
2
Skills I developed
In this course, I honed my critical reflection skills by thoroughly analyzing a wide range of scenarios involving academic misconduct. Each scenario required me to carefully evaluate the decisions, designs, and ethical choices made, prompting deeper insight into the underlying issues. This reflective process enhanced my ability to critically assess the potential consequences of actions, while also improving my capacity to recognize and address misconduct in real-world settings
3
How will I use it in the future
I plan to use critical reflection in the future by applying it to both professional and academic situations. In research, it will help me carefully evaluate the ethical implications of my work, ensuring that I maintain integrity in experimental design, data management, and collaborations. When making decisions, I’ll be able to think more deeply about the potential consequences of my actions, not just the immediate outcomes but also the long-term effects.