Bridging the gap in research ethics training: an assessment of online courses for Arab researchers
摘要
Applied research ethics competence and training is vital for the professional development of academic researchers across various sectors. Evaluations of online research ethics trainings in the Arab region are scarce. This study aims to review and map a sample of 6 online research ethics courses accessible to researchers in the Middle East and North Africa region to explore their scope, content, and relevance to the context. The research team selected 6 online research ethics courses based on set criteria and developed an assessment tool containing criteria that relate to the course structure, instruction methods, relevance to the context and course content. All courses were self-paced and asynchronous and primarily utilized lectures or interactive modules based on didactic instruction. However, there is room for enhancement in terms of language options, interactive learning opportunities, and contextual relevance. The findings reveal the importance on contextualizing courses, improving instructional methods and continuous improvement and reviews of these courses for relevancy and for meeting contemporary needs. Addressing these areas could lead to more engaging, inclusive, and effective research ethics training, ultimately contributing to the more ethically responsible research practices in the region.