WRS 8581: Research Ethics Spring 2007

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Research and Professional Ethics

in Water Resources and Environmental Sciences

WRS/CE 8581

Announcements

• This page is being updated starting 1/1/07
• Announcements will be added each week.
• 1/1 The required text is: Committee On Science, Engineering, And Public Policy. 1995. On Being a Scientist: Responsible Conduct in Research, Second Edition. National Academy Press, Washington, D.C. You can read free online at: http://www.nap.edu/books/0309051967/html/index.html. To obtain a personal hardcopy or pdf (or combination hard copy and pdf) you may purchase these from the National Academy Press at: http://www.nap.edu/catalog/4917.html : purchase pdf for $6.50, paperback for $7.20 and both for $9.50 (note there is a $4.50 shipping fee for either hardcopy option).
• Supplemental text by Whitbeck, Ethics In Engineering Practice & Research, will be available in the EFW library and the Water Resources Center (and one location in Duluth).
• 1/16: Website updated (though updating will continue through semester). Syllabus posted in HTML and as PDF on handouts page
• 1/16: Vista site should be activated - nothing specific posted yet but let me know if you have problems accessing the class vista site.
• 1/16: First slideshow is posted on slideshow page (need user and password announced in class to access).
• 1/16 Reminder that next week, 1/23, we will be viewing the NOVA movie Do Scientists Cheat? It is 58 min so please be on time so we can end on time
• 1/16: First Assignment - due by class on 23 January - write a brief (no more than 0.5 to 1 page) reaction paper commenting on one or more of the 5 university policiy we addressed today (see slideshow for refresher - Lab Safety, Hazardous Waste, Animal Care, Human Subject, Privacy) and how if affects you. Comment on which seem most useful or relevant - now or in the future. Turn in via email to RMNClass@umn.edu is preferred.
• 1/23: Second assignment - go to Vista site and the Discussions pages. Under Fraud and Misconduct go to the Do Scientists Cheat topic and follow instructions for Discussion of the NOVA Movie. I have posted four questions; all should join in addressing by replying to at least one of these questions. You should also reply to at least one other thread in this section and each person should post one (1) additional question related to the topic. Enjoy (and be civil).
• 1/23: Next week (30 January) we will continue the fraud and misconduct discussion, look at some cases and also (first) go back over some issues related to university policies, lab safety, hazzardous waste and privacy. For readings, see http://fwcb.cfans.umn.edu/courses/wrs8581/readings.html . You should look over pages 1-8.5; 16.5-20.5 of On being a Scientist before class.
• 1/30: I also should have told you to download and print (or bring computer to class) from the readings page the two discussion cases Polluted Objectivity and Methods actor part 2. These are too small to read from the screen so if you read this before class be sure to bring copies. Remember you need to typce in the username and password to access these.
• 1/30: Fraud and misconduct slideshow posted on the slideshow page (need user and password announced in class to access).
• 1/31: Links to Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment case studies converted to Findit Links.
• 1/31: Assignment for this week (31 Jan to 6 February). Online discussion at Vista site Discussions pages. Under Fraud and Misconduct go to the Dealing with Suspicions of Misconduct topic and follow instructions for Discussion of this case. I have posted 3 questions; all should join in addressing by replying to at least 2 of these questions and comment one 2 responses from classmates. Then go to the Polluted Ojectivity case and respond to at least one of the three main questions and provide at least 2 comments on the response of your classmates to these questions. The cases are available online through the readings page for 1/30. http://fwcb.cfans.umn.edu/courses/wrs8581/readings.html
• 2/6: Plagiarism and Authorship intro slideshow posted on the slideshow page
• 2/8: The assignment for this week (6-13 Feb) is to look at the two plagiarism case studies given on the readings page for 2/6
  and the two cases on slides 17 and 18 from the 2/6 powerpoint presentation and then go to the online discussion at Vista site https://vista2.umn.edu/ Discussions pages and follow the instructions under
  Plagarism and case studies :
  Start the Plagarism discussions here - Address at least one question from each of the two cases studies B6 ad B7 (see links on website or below). I have added one more case in the authorship section which you should also visit. Under
  Authorship Peer Review and Confidentiality
  Authorship - Discussion for 2/6-2/13 Several cases :
  Review the two cases on slides 17 and 18 from class powerpoint. Answer the question for one of the cases and respond to one of your classmate's answer for each case. Everyone should look at the Where's my co-author question and comment.
• 2/8: For next week (2/13) you should get copies of the three "handouts" for Professor Bloom's class next week, available on the readings page for 2/13. Note that slide 20 of the slideshow gives a list of topics to be covered. During the first 15 minutes of class we will talk briefly about copyright issues.
• 2/15: Assignment for this week (13-20 Feb) is to look at three case studies related to peer review
  1. What happened to my research proposal (aka Was my proposal plagiarize? by Whitbeck): http://onlineethics.org/reseth/mod/plag2.html
  2. Reviewing Research Grant Applications: http://www.research.umn.edu/ethics/curriculum/peer_review.html#Case1
  3. Reviewing Submissions to Journals:
  http://www.research.umn.edu/ethics/curriculum/peer_review.html#Case2
  Then, go online to the discussion page and post a response to the questions for ONE of the cases and reply to someone else's response to a second case. This should spread out the responses a bit so that everyone can provide some fresh insight.

  Then, go to the copyright and ownership discussion and post a reply, comment or question. If you have an important question related to publication or proposal submission and review, I have also set up a place to raise these issues and questions. I will try to respond but other should chime in as well.

• 2/15: For class on 2/20: Bring a copy of the Methods Actor Part 2 case and the to class for discussion (they are too small to read on the monitor). You might also want to print out copies of the Diversity Case and Casper and Pepe case if you have trouble reading the cases on the monitor. Links to these are at: http://fwcb.cfans.umn.edu/courses/wrs8581/readings.html#6
• 2/15: Draft slideshow for 2/20 on Mentorship-Employer relations posted on the slideshow page.
• 2/22: The assignment for this week (20-27 Feb) is to address two cases related to diversity and one case related to employer vs public responsibility. I have also added some threads and commentary on research integrity, representation and academic freedom. Specifically for discussion on the vista discussion,
  1. Diversity Cases Pepe and Casper and Lisa and Hodson:
  For these two diversity case, address one question for either case and respond to at least one comment or response of a classmate for the other case.
  Pepe and Casper case is at:
  http://onlineethics.org/div/problems/sub.html#scen
  The Lisa and Hodson case is at:
  http://www.research.umn.edu/ethics/pdf/Diversity.htm

  2. Is the PR job tenure-track too? Address at least one question and respond to at least one post by another student.
  case is hotlinked at (and you should already have a printed copy):
  http://fwcb.cfans.umn.edu/courses/wrs8581/readings.html#6

  3. I have added some additional workplace discussion on representing the university and government and scientific integrity under the workplace topic and also a few threads on tenure and academic freedom under a new category. Questions and comments in these threads welcome.

• 2/27: Will wrap workplace and diversity issues discussion today. I have posted a followup Diversity-Workplace slideshow on the slideshow page . The Data mangement slideshow for today is also posted on the slideshow page. Bring copies of the Frontiers in Ecology cases to class as these are too small to project.
• 2/27: Erik Brown is working on arrangements to bring Duluth students to class on 3/6.
• 3/6: Social responsibility slideshow posted on the slideshow page. Bring copies of the Frontiers in Ecology cases to class as these are too small to project.
• 3/6: Fill out class evaluation questionnaire and turn in to Bonnie <ander742@umn.edu> if you did not turn in in class.
• July 2008 - Class will be offered in St. Paul, Winter 2009.

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URL: http://fwcb.cfans.umn.edu/courses/wrs8581/
Comments to: RNewman@umn.edu
Last updated: 28 July 2008
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