Evaluation of the Utility of a Research Ethics Training Course to Graduate Students

Abstract

Concerns about the integrity of scientific research and the erosion of public trust in science led to policy recommendations to improve the responsible conduct of research. One recommendation was to increase scientific integrity through training, and numerous funding agencies mandated training in the responsible conduct of research for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Many institutions implemented training on consensus recommended topics. This study was initiated to evaluate graduate student perceptions of the utility of training in the responsible conduct of research during their dissertation research. The study was survey-based and captured the responses of first-year doctoral students enrolled in a semester-long course in the responsible conduct of research and past participants in the course. Students enrolled in the course demonstrated a gain in knowledge following training and an increase in self-efficacy in their ability to handle issues in scientific ethics. These students could envision how most of the topics in the course could be beneficial as they progressed in their scientific careers. Past participants in the course were asked to reflect upon their graduate studies and evaluate the impact of training in the responsible conduct of research. Many respondents identified sessions in the course that were useful at this early career stage and lessons learned from the course helped them navigate or avoid ethical challenges in their research. The results demonstrate that students appreciate the value of training in research integrity and that they are applying concepts from their training very early in their careers.