BIH521: Research Ethics, Deontology and Research Integrity

The module Research Ethics, Deontology and Research Integrity is compulsory and of primary importance in the programme's content. Its aim is to introduce students to the ethical and deontological principles governing the conduct of scientific research. In a first stage, the ethical criteria for carrying out scientific research and the manner in which these are monitored by the relevant ethics committees are examined. In a second stage, the new legislative framework for the protection of personal data in the conduct of scientific research is analysed, and the criteria for balancing the protection of research participants' data against the freedom of scientific research are discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on the administrative practices of personal data protection authorities, as well as of research ethics and deontology committees, and on the criteria they have established for balancing the only apparently conflicting constitutional values of scientific research and the protection of personal data, as well as the protection of other interests of research participants. Furthermore, the module addresses the historical development of research ethics, key international declarations and protocols (such as the Nuremberg Code, the Declaration of Helsinki and the Belmont Report), and the principles of academic integrity, including the responsible conduct of research, the prevention of research misconduct, and standards for authorship, plagiarism, and conflict of interest.