This thing called Science
[ REMA01 ]

This course explores the history, philosophy, and integrity of scientific practice. Students will examine what makes science a special activity and what ethical challenges researchers face. The course provides a common starting point for students across all research master programs at the Erasmus MC and encourages reflection on the role and responsibilities of science in society. Through a mix of lectures, discussions, and group work, participants will prepare themselves for doing science with high standards of integrity.

The course is structured around four perspectives:
• science as method
• science as practice
• science as community
• science as career.

1. Students can identify major epistemological foundations ("ways of knowing") of medical science and identify how these influence medical research and practice today.
2. Students can explain the difference between a normative and empirical understanding of science and reflect on when it is permissible in daily scientific practice to deviate from agreed-upon research methods.
3. Students can identify core institutions bestowing scientific merit (universities, societies, journals, etcetera), and explain how proxy-indicators for scientific quality can be gamed.
4. Students can explain which institutional imperatives comprise the ethos of modern science and articulate which core values they find important in being a good scientist.
5. Students know what FFPs (Fabrication, Falsification, and Plagiarism) and QRPs (Questionable Research Practices) are and recognize them in concrete situations.
6. Students know of the most important (inter)national and institutional research codes for scientific integrity and practice with maintaining research integrity in practical dilemmas.
7. At the end of year 1, students can reflect on practical dilemmas and attitudes which they have encountered that align with or deviate from their ideal of good science.

Attendance, Assignment(s), Presentation(s)