Program Overview

Introduction to the RWTH Online Course "Scientific Integrity"

The foundation of scientific work is the honesty of scientists towards themselves and others. This is both an ethical norm and the basis of good scientific practice. Ensuring the validity and application of these rules in practice is a core task of science and academia.

The RWTH online course "Scientific Integrity" presents topics relevant to good scientific practice in a subject-independent manner. Starting from the definition and principles of scientific integrity, aspects such as honesty and quality criteria of good scientific research, securing good scientific practice, scientific misconduct, research ethics, research data management, supervision responsibility, and conflicts of interest, as well as diversity and cooperation in science, are explained.

Course Description

The course covers various themes including:

• Definition of scientific integrity
• Principles of scientific integrity
• Quality criteria of good scientific research
• Securing good scientific practice
• Scientific misconduct
• Research ethics
• Research data management
• Supervision responsibility
• Conflicts of interest
• Diversity and cooperation in science

Target Audience

The course is designed for:

• Students
• Doctoral candidates
• Postdocs
• Other university staff

Course Objectives

Upon completion of the course, participants should be able to:

• Understand the principles of scientific integrity
• Recognize the importance of research ethics
• Manage research data effectively
• Identify and avoid conflicts of interest
• Appreciate diversity in science
• Reflect on their own responsibility in research and science

Course Structure

The course is offered online through RWTHmoodle and includes:

• Lectures
• Videos
• Literature
• Quizzes

Examination

The examination takes place via Dynexite and is offered twice a semester. The duration of the examination is 30 minutes, and a minimum of 60% is required to pass. All course materials are relevant for the examination.

Certificate

Upon successful completion of the course, participants receive a certificate, which is deposited in the participant portal of the Department 12.1 - Career Development for doctoral candidates, postdocs, and other staff members.

Additional Information

For further details, please refer to the course description in RWTHmoodle or contact the Department 12.1 - Career Development.