In-depth understanding of research ethics issues among master’s and doctoral students in the humanities and social sciences

Research ethics and integrity represent one of the most significant challenges in the contemporary Georgian academic space. Increased attention to this issue has been driven by the absence of institutional policies on research integrity in universities, limited resources, and a lack of awareness, which in some cases has led to the production of unreliable scientific research. The implementation of research integrity mechanisms within universities has increased and, it can be argued, significantly improved researchers’ attitudes toward these challenges.

At present, discussions on research ethics constitute an integral part of the modern Georgian academic discourse. This has led to the formulation of the following hypothesis: studying the essential aspects of ethical research conduct among master’s and doctoral students influences their ability to conduct research responsibly, which is further enhanced by the integration of theoretical and practical learning.

Telavi State University is involved in the implementation of a joint doctoral educational program (in corporation with four universities). Therefore, the findings of this study can be generalized not only to Telavi State University but also to a broader academic context.

This study focuses on the importance of providing relevant information and intensive training courses on research ethics and integrity for master’s and doctoral students in the humanities and social sciences.

Objectives and Tasks

The aim and the tasks of the study were to determine the extent to which master’s and doctoral students at Telavi State University understand the fundamental principles of research ethics and how effectively they apply the knowledge acquired through an intensive course in practice.

Methodology

Alongside the implementation of the course “Research Ethics and Integrity,” Telavi State University conducted a series of preparatory activities and developed an intensive course on research ethics and integrity.

Participants were assessed through testing during the course. Case analysis and discussion-based debates were used as key teaching methods. Additionally, sociological surveys were conducted among students to evaluate their attitudes toward the intensive course.

The results of the sociological survey revealed that:

Master’s and doctoral students’ attitudes toward research ethics have significantly changed.
The majority of respondents believe that theoretical knowledge of research ethics principles alone is insufficient, and that the discussion of practical examples is essential for deeper understanding.
Participants acknowledged the complexity of the issues discussed and noted that making straightforward evaluations of specific cases often lacks reliability.
Most respondents indicated that challenges related to research ethics are multifaceted and often involve risks that were previously unimaginable to them; therefore, studying these issues from a single perspective is insufficient.

During the analysis of specific cases, many doctoral students demonstrated excessive caution, which made some difficulties in drawing accurate conclusions. In many instances, attention was focused not on the primary violations but on general information intended only to facilitate understanding of the case.
Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that studying research ethics has a positive impact on the research conducted by master’s and doctoral students and increases the overall reliability of research not only at Telavi State University but across the academic space of Georgia.

The perspectives of colleagues and individuals interested in this field are of particular importance, both regarding this study and similar topics related to research ethics, as examining these challenges from a single perspective cannot provide a comprehensive understanding.