E32: Research Ethics

Asian scientists in lab coats discussing research with a microscope in a laboratory setting.

Course Overview

CE Hours

3 CE Credits

Course Description

Research Ethics examines the ethical principles and professional standards that govern the responsible conduct of research. This course explores the distinction between compliance and ethics, defines key research ethics terminology including fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism, reviews the Public Health Service policy on research training, and examines the foundational principles of The Belmont Report — respect for persons, beneficence, and justice. Learners will develop the ability to identify ethical issues in research, analyze them using established frameworks, and choose ethically sound research practices.

Course Learning Objectives

At the end of this course, learners will be able to:

  1. Explain the difference between compliance and ethics in the context of research conduct
  2. Define key research ethics terms including research misconduct, fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, and research record
  3. Distinguish between ethically prohibited, permitted, required, and encouraged behaviors in research
  4. Describe the Public Health Service policy on the responsible conduct of research training
  5. Explain the historical context that led to the creation of The Belmont Report
  6. Describe the three basic ethical principles of The Belmont Report, respect for persons, beneficence, and justice and explain how each applies to human subjects research
  7. Distinguish between research and practice as defined by The Belmont Report
  8. Identify strategies to analyze ethical issues related to research and choose ethically sound research studies

Course Format and Faculty

Course Format:

Online linked resources and lectures available anytime, 24/7. Includes one multiple-choice exam taken at the end of the course. A passing grade of 75% is required. Upon passing, learners may print their certificate immediately.

Course Developers and Instructors:

R. Klimes, PhD, MPH (Johns Hopkins University) is a scholar and author in health-related research, health behaviors, ethics, end-of-life care, and overall wellness. He has written numerous research reports and books and has held academic and leadership roles in higher education and public health internationally.

Course Time:

Approximately 3 hours for online study, test taking, course evaluation feedback, and certificate printing.