• Duration: 1 week
• Credits: 16
• Dates: Not scheduled in 2020 
• Venue: Pietermaritzburg
• Presenters: Prof Tiaan de Jager and Ms Ingrid Lynch

This module enables students to evaluate the design adequacy of research proposals, so that the ethical aspects of the research can be evaluated. Students will learn to evaluate the following aspects of medical, epidemiological, and social health research designs: elements of sound research design; research design implementation; research capacity and resources.

• Duration: 1 week
• Credits: 16
• Dates: Not scheduled in 2020 
• Venue: Pietermaritzburg
• Presenter: Dr Heidi Matisonn

This module provides students with the foundations of bioethics in health practice and research. Basic bioethical principles will be covered, as well as alternative bioethical frameworks; identification of bioethical dilemmas and skills for resolving these systematically.

• Duration: 1 week
• Credits: 16
• Dates: Not scheduled in 2020 
• Venue: Pietermaritzburg
• Presenter: Ms Kitty Barrett-Grant

This module enables students to evaluate the design adequacy of research proposals, so that the ethical aspects of the research can be evaluated. Students will learn to evaluate the following aspects of medical, epidemiological, and social health research designs: elements of sound research design; research design implementation; research capacity and resources.

• Duration: 1 week
• Credits: 16
• Dates: Not scheduled in 2020 
• Venue: Pietermaritzburg
• Presenter: Ms Kitty Barrett-Grant

This module gives students an awareness of human rights implications of health research, and will provide a basic introduction to human rights, international covenants and other relevant material; it refers specifically to the South African Bill of Rights and to other relevant African documents in law and human rights, and encourages students to apply these to health research.

• Duration: 1 week
• Credits: 16
• Dates: Not scheduled in 2020 
• Venue: Pietermaritzburg
• Presenter: Dr Zaynab Essack

This module focuses on the centrality of informed consent in health research. The historical, philosophical and legal aspects of informed consent are outlined. Controversy surrounding informed consent procedures in vulnerable populations is highlighted, with particular reference to international health research associated with women, children and poverty. Students will develop an awareness of the complexity of these issues and be able to develop appropriate ethical responses.

• Duration: 1 week
• Credits: 16
• Dates: Not scheduled in 2020 
• Venue: Pietermaritzburg
• Presenter: Prof Mariana Kruger

The aim of the module is to ensure that the students are sensitized to all issues that relate to children and health care research. The research must be appropriate and of direct benefit to children. The students must be able to objectively review the informed consent process with the parent/guardian as third party consent, as well as the assent of the child if applicable. Special attention will be given to the cognitive development of children and the assent process.

• Duration: 1 week
• Credits: 16
• Dates: Not scheduled in 2020 
• Venue: Pietermaritzburg
• Presenter: Dr Nicole Mamotte

This module covers the particular history and dynamics of women’s participation in health research. The module will critically address the special ethical issues and politics associated with women’s health research, with an emphasis on women in vulnerable populations; informed consent; women through the life cycle; power inequalities; and cultural issues and gender. Students will be able to analyse, critique and advise on creative ways on ensuring women’s ethical participation in research in developing country setting.

• Duration: 1 week
• Credits: 16
• Dates: Not scheduled in 2020 
• Venue: Pietermaritzburg
• Presenter: Prof Nhlanhla Mkhize

This module will sensitise students to models of morality and ethics that are common in African settings and which differ from Western ethical approaches. Such approaches are often communal and contextual. Students will cover issues in cultural relativity and absolutism, and become aware of power differentials which impact on ethical health research work in the context of such culturally based moral diversity.

• Duration: 1 week
• Credits: 16
• Dates: Not scheduled in 2020 
• Venue: Pietermaritzburg
• Presenter: Prof Doug Wassenaar

The module covers the interface between professional regulations, professional ethics, and research ethics, which is particularly important in international research and settings with poor regulatory infrastructure. Students will identify issues in health research that require the maintenance of high professional ethical standards and research integrity in the absence of clear regulatory or ethical guidelines.

• Duration: 1 week
• Credits: 16
• Dates: Not scheduled in 2020 
• Venue: Pietermaritzburg
• Presenter: Prof Mariana Kruger

This module focuses on implementing institutional ethics review of research. It covers all aspects of Ethics Review Committees: functioning; requirements and existing guidelines; different models; relationships with host institutions; and facilitating and maintaining institutional change. Role plays and participation in actual Ethics Review Committees will enhance the practical nature of this module.

• Duration: 1 week
• Credits: 16
• Dates: Not scheduled in 2020 
• Venue: Pietermaritzburg
• Presenter: Dr Catherine Slack

This module exposes students to the complexities and controversies associated with ethical issues in HIV/AIDS vaccine trials in developing countries, and covers relevant international and local ethical guidelines. Students will apply ethical thinking to particular circumstances in HIV vaccine research.

• Duration: 1 week
• Credits: 16
• Dates: Not scheduled in 2020 
• Venue: Pietermaritzburg
• Presenter: Prof Carel IJsselmuiden

Ethical issues in international health research and concerns about exploitation of vulnerable populations are becoming increasingly prominent. This module identifies risks and concerns, discusses globalisation of health research, and reviews national and international mechanisms to deal with these, particularly in the context of Africa and research in rural areas. Case studies and group discussions will be used.

• Duration: 1 week
• Credits: 16
• Dates: Not scheduled in 2020 
• Venue: Pietermaritzburg
• Presenter: Mr Vernon Solomon

This module addresses ethical issues of community entry and participation in health research, particularly in developing countries. Complex ethical issues arise at the interface between researchers and community. Students will identify multiple responsibilities that arise, and identify the shortcomings of traditional professional and research ethics principles in such settings. Students will resolve ethical dilemmas in community participation through critical reflection and interaction.

• Duration: 1 week
• Credits: 16
• Dates: Not scheduled in 2020 
• Venue: Pietermaritzburg
• Presenter: Prof Ronald Nicolson

This module sensitises students to different value systems informed by religion, and the implications of these for health research. It will examine the similarities and differences of some of the world’s major and minor religions, and explore the ethical dimensions of such comparisons. Students will be taught to recognise such dimensions in health research contexts and to identify the problematic issue of moral relativism. Africa’s major religions, Christianity, Islam and indigenous religions are discussed.

• Duration: 1 week
• Credits: 16
• Dates: Not scheduled in 2020 
• Venue: Pietermaritzburg
• Presenter: Profs Graham Lindegger and Doug Wassenaar

This module aims to help learners identify the central role of behaviour in health research. Two particular aspects are given attention: the centrality of behavioural issues in ethical health research, as well as ethical issues in behavioural research. These are presented as complementary facets of ethical issues in health research. Case studies are used to examine the relation between behaviour and ethics in research.

• Duration: 4 weeks equivalent
• Credits:
• Dates: Throughout the year
• Venue: UKZN BREC (Westville) and HSRC REC (Pietermaritzburg)
• Supervison and guidance: Prof Doug Wassenaar

This module will provide students with vital practical experience in attending Research Ethics Committee meetings in a variety of settings. Trainees will be asked to contribute to ethics review of actual research protocols, and trainees will have to integrate and apply the theories and skills acquired in other modules of this course. Assignments encouraging critical reflection will be set.

• Duration: Throughout the academic year
• Credits: 64 (UKZN)
• Dates: Throughout the academic year
• Venue: UKZN, Pietermaritzburg campus
• Supervision and guidance: Prof Doug Wassenaar, Prof Mariana Kruger, Prof Nhlanhla Mkhize and an individual supervisor for each trainee.

The dissertation aims to promote conceptual and practical skills in researching ethical aspects of health research and

• to examine independently an issue of relevance to research ethics,
• to stimulate the integration of modular learning,
• to extend the learning beyond the classroom to focus on trainees’ own experiences and home environment, and
• to facilitate entry into the home institution’s research and educational environment.

With supervising faculty, students will have to conceptualise, operationalize, conduct, report and critique a research project on an approved topic on ethical aspects of health research in developing contexts. Much of the work for the dissertation or research paper will be done in the trainee’s home institution and be written up for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.