“You can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs”… Under the pretext of the evolution of knowledge and acquisition of new technologies to improve the standard of living (health, food, ICT, etc.), this slogan was once used as argument for scientific research carried out in conditions contrary to human morality. In a constantly evolving world and at a time when Scientific Research has shown its potential for socio-economic development, it is appropriate for African researchers to pay particular attention to how they carry out their research work. Scientific research is one of the pillars of the Emergence of our countries and in this field, deviations are
possible in our race for knowledge and innovations. Hence this quote from Simon Hobeila, from University Research Ethics Committee (CUER) of the University of Montreal: “We must now take into consideration who owns the eggs and how we will fairly distribute these
omelettes ». Indeed, research, or the exploration of questions whose answers are unknown to us, implies uncertainty as to the results of this research. Added to this uncertainty is a non-zero risk for the participant or even the researcher, in the collection of data via experiments, surveys or observational studies. The researcher, in his quest for knowledge, must take this uncertainty
and risk into account. Larousse defines Ethics as the “Part of philosophy which considers the foundations of morality” or “the set of moral principles which are the basis of someone’s conduct”. All research must be designed and conducted ethically. The researcher must take into account: his responsibility as a researcher, the research participants, his colleagues but also society in general. The moral principles that govern how researchers should conduct their work constitute research ethics.
Objective of the training workshop: Enable researchers to understand the principles of
research ethics and be able to apply them to their research work.
Specific objectives:
- Understand the historical evolution of moral principles in scientific research;
- Acquire the necessary notions of research ethics;
- Understand how to apply it to your research work.
Beneficiaries: Young African researchers and early career researchers, especially graduate
students (Biochemists, medical doctor, microbiologists, biologists…).
Impact of the training workshop: Researchers who follow this training will now be able
to carry out their research in strict compliance with ethical rules.
