Integrating Ethics into Graduate Training in the Environmental Sciences Michelle Stickler Education Specialist The Pennsylvania State University Funded by the National Science Foundation: #

Acknowledgements Research Team: –Donald Brown (case developer) –Ken Davis (case developer) –Klaus Keller (case developer) –Rich Ready (case developer) –Erich Schienke (case/manual developer) –Jim Shortle (case developer) –Nancy Tuana (PI) IRB approval from PSU

Educational Objective Develop ethics education modules that can be integrated into science curricula –Geosciences –Agricultural economics Develop and test at PSU Make available broadly

Module Topics RCR Data analysis Sustainability Cost/benefit analysis Environmental risk-analysis Decision-making under uncertainty

RCR Module Introduction to research misconduct Responsible authorship –Authorship credit and responsibility –When and what to publish –Data sharing Conflict of interest –In peer review –In expert testimony

Objectivity Module Ethical question – can research truly be objective Influences that shape how a problem is defined, studied, and reported Differences in standards of objectivity

Benefit-Cost Analysis Module Ethical evaluation of 3 common criteria for evaluating social welfare change Argument – need for deeper evaluation of benefits and costs

Uncertainty Module When is it ethical to publish results likely to influence policy when subject to uncertainty Inherent ethical decisions in treatment of uncertainty –Differences between scientific / policy arenas Data analysis and dissemination issues

Research Question Does ethical training embedded within the curriculum correlate with a better understanding and/or attitudes toward RCR than RCR training alone?

Research Groups RCR Module Ethics Module Pre- Tests Post- Tests Exp 1XXXX Exp 2XXX ControlXX

Assessments Principles of RCR –multiple choice knowledge assessment Attitudes Towards RCR –Scenario based assessment –Identify acceptable vs. unacceptable scenarios on 4 point scale –Qualitative explanation of choice

Progress Module development - ongoing Pilot testing of instruments - Spring 2006 Revisions to instruments – Summer nd reliability testing – early Fall 2006 Start of data collection – Fall 2006

Challenges and Limitations Inconsistency in delivery Enrolling sufficient number of participants

Summary Curricular development: ethics / RCR modules embedded in science courses Research: comparing impact of 1) stand- alone RCR education and 2) RCR and ethics in the curriculum on knowledge and attitudes