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Applying a Social Constructivist Approach to an Online Course on Ethics of Research

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Abstract

The growing trend of shifting from classroom to distance learning in ethics education programs raises the need to examine ways for adapting best instructional practices to online modes. To address this need, the current study was set to apply a social constructivist approach to an online course in research ethics and to examine its effect on the learning outcomes of science and engineering graduate students. The study applied a pre-test post-test quasi-experimental research design within a framework of a mixed-methods approach. The study compared the learning outcomes of students who participated in a social constructivist online course (N = 175) with those who studied in a conventional online course (N = 170). The data were collected via questionnaires and interviews. The findings indicated that both the conventional and the social constructivist online learners gained knowledge of facts and regulations. Yet, the social constructivist learners were more successful in demonstrating knowledge of practices that are used to establish research ethics, and in understanding the importance of conducting research in a responsible manner. The social constructivist online learners were also more successful in demonstrating awareness of ethical dilemmas, by identifying ethical dilemmas and providing solutions to ethical problems.

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Acknowledgements

The study was funded by the Planning and Budgeting Committee of the Israeli Council for Higher Education. We thank the Committee for their generous support.

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  1. The Faculty of Education in Science and Technology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, 320003, Haifa, Israel

    Miri Barak & Gizell Green

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  1. Miri Barak
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  2. Gizell Green
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Correspondence to Miri Barak.

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Barak, M., Green, G. Applying a Social Constructivist Approach to an Online Course on Ethics of Research. Sci Eng Ethics 27, 8 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-021-00280-2

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