Abstract
This study presents the results of a survey of student satisfaction with electronic discussion boards in a course on the responsible conduct of research (RCR). On a 1–5 scale, the respondents stated that the use of the electronic discussion board was an effective teaching tool (4.71), that it enabled them to get feedback from their peers (4.43), that it helped promote discussion and debate (4.36), that it helped them learn how to analyze ethical dilemmas in research (4.36), and that they would consider using an electronic discussion board, if they ever taught a course themselves (4.76). In their written comments, the respondents indicated that electronic discussion boards are a convenient way of promoting debate and in-depth discussion. These results suggest, but do not prove, that discussion boards can promote debate and discussion in courses on research ethics. Instructors who teach RCR should consider using electronic discussion boards in regular or online courses, and they should consider studying the effectiveness of electronic discussion boards in research ethics education. Although electronic discussion boards cannot replace the face-to-face interaction that occurs in a classroom setting, they may provide a useful medium for the exchange of ideas and opinions online.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
National Institutes of Health. (1992) Requirement for the Instruction in Responsible Conduct of Research in National Research Service and Institutional Training Grants. NIH Guide 21, 43 (November 27, 1992). Available at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not92-236.html. Accessed: September 30, 2005.
National Institutes of Health. (2000) NIH Policy on Instruction in Responsible Conduct of Research. Available at: http://www1.od.nih.gov/oir/sourcebook/ResEthicsCases/nih-policy.htm. Accessed: September 30, 2005.
Office of Research Integrity. (2002) PHS Policy on Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)- Suspended. Available at: http://www.ori.dhhs.gov/policies/RCR_Policy.shtml. Accessed: September 30, 2005.
Shamoo, A. and Resnik, D. (2003) Responsible Conduct of Research. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
National Academy of Sciences. (2002) Integrity in Scientific Research. National Academy Press, Washington.
University of Phoenix. (2004) University of Phoenix. Available at: http://www.phoenix.edu/. Accessed: September 30, 2005.
Finkelstein, M.; Frances, C.; Jewett, F.; Bernhard, W.; and Chandler, B. (2002) Dollars, distance, and online education: The new economics of college teaching and learning. Studies in Higher Education 27: 252–53.
University of Miami. (2004) CITI Collaborative IRB Training Initiative. Available at: http://www.miami.edu/citireg/. Accessed: September 30, 2005.
National Institutes of Health. (2004) Introduction to the Responsible Conduct of Research. Available at: http://researchethics.od.nih.gov/. Accessed: September 30, 2005.
Meyer, K. (2002) Quality in Distance Education: Focus on Online Learning. Jossey-Bass, New York.
Barbera, E. (2004) Quality in virtual education environments. British Journal of Educational Technology 35: 13–20.
Science and Engineering Ethics (2005) 11: 321–512.
Loui, M. (2002) Educational technologies and teaching of ethics in science and engineering. Science and Engineering Ethics (2005) 11: 435–446.
Sieber J. (2005) Misconceptions and realities about teaching online. Science and Engineering Ethics 11: 329–40.
National Academy of Sciences. (1995). On Being a Scientist. National Academy Press, Washington.
The National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research. (1979) The Belmont Report. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Washington. Available at: http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/guidance/belmont.htm. Accessed: September 30, 2005.
45 Code of Federal Regulations 46 (2001)
East Carolina University. (2004) Research Policies. Available at: http://www.research2.ecu.edu/OSP/Policies1.htm Accessed: September 30, 2005.
American Association for the Advancement of Science. (1996) Integrity in Scientific Research. American Association for the Advancement of Science, Washington.
Mazor, K.; Clauser, M.; Field, T.; Yood, R.; and Gurwitz, J. (2002) A demonstration of the impact of response bias on the results of patient satisfaction surveys. Health Services Research 37: 1403–17.
Browne, L.; Mehra, S.; Rattan, R.; and Thomas, G. (2004) Comparing lecture and e-learning as pedagogies for new and experienced professionals in dentistry. British Dentistry Journal 197: 96–7.
Masten, S.; Chapman, E. (2004) The effectiveness of home-study driver education compared to classroom instruction: the impact on student knowledge and attitudes. Traffic Injury Prevention 5: 117–21.
Lockwood, A. (2004) Human testing of pesticides: ethical and scientific considerations. American Journal of Public Health 94: 1908–16.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Resnik, D.B. Using electronic discussion boards to teach responsible conduct of research. SCI ENG ETHICS 11, 617–630 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-005-0029-9
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-005-0029-9