Course Description
This course will examine ethical considerations for conduct of research and assessment involving humans. The course will draw upon foundational concepts from the Nuremburg Code and Declaration of Helsinki, and the Tri-council Policy Statement on Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans. Participants will learn about culturally responsive research and assessment practices involving critical analysis of researcher and participant positionality and worldviews through a systems and power analysis framework, including Indigenous data sovereignty principles and practices. Participants will learn about the importance of autonomy, privacy, confidentiality, and informed consent. Participants will explore both conceptual principles and applied tools to conduct ethical and responsive research / assessment.Course Outline
Week 1: Principles of Research / Assessment Ethics
• Tri-Council Ethics Policy
• Framework for Assessment Ethics
• Identifying ethics strengths and gaps in assessment project.
Week 2: Institutional Privacy, Data Governance, and Confidentiality
• Overview of key privacy and confidentiality considerations
• Integration with institutional data
• Developing a process to align with data governance principles.
• Individual analysis of relevant institutional policies (based on assessment project)
• Development of governance process plan to navigate appropriate approvals for project.
Week 3: Research Ethics: The Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans – Modules and Certification
• Complete the TCPS CORE Modules and receive a certificate of completion.
• Learning and reflection on content in the TCPS CORE Modules
Week 4: Engaging Marginalized Communities
• Reflecting on perspectives/worldview & developing a researcher positionality statement on Indigenous data sovereignty
• Segmented data analysis
• Ethical interpretation of findings: community engagement, first-voice methodologies, and mixed-methods designs for finding interpretation.
• Developing a positionality statement
• Engaging in ecological systems analysis and equity analysis of assessment project plan.
Week 5: Assessment / Research Ethics Analysis & Proposal
• Integrate overall ethics analysis of projects into a single document
• Develop a research ethics proposal including associated resources (e.g., informed consent form, data usage and mobilization plan).
Assessment Methods
• Participation: 20% (synchronous discussions and in-class activities)
• Assignments:40% (completion of TCPS 2 CORE Module – submission of reflection & certification; completion of in-class preparation and assignment components)
• Project-Based Learning: 40% (development of ethical analysis and ethics proposal for their project – based on peer and instructor feedback)
What You Will Learn
• Understand foundational concepts and principles for the ethical conduct of research and assessment involving humans.• Understand privacy, confidentiality, and data governance frameworks applying to research and assessment generally, and specific policies within participants’ institutional context.
• Critically analyze researcher positionality and worldview and apply culturally responsive research and assessment principles to the design, conduct, analysis and communication of research and assessment findings.
• Acquire certification through TCPS 2 (2022) CORE modules for ethical practice on research involving humans.
• Develop a research/assessment ethical practice analysis and protocol for their project.
Prerequisites
Recommended For
Student Affairs professionals across Canada, those who are interested in the field, and other professionals in higher education.Applies Towards the Following Certificates
- Student Affairs Program Assessment Certificate : Cohort Based Option