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Literary works as case studies for teaching human experimentation ethics
1Northern Illinois University School of Nursing, DeKalb 60115, USA.
The Journal of Nursing Education
|March 1, 1996
Summary
This study demonstrates how using literary case studies effectively teaches master's students about ethical issues in human experimentation, enhancing their understanding of research complexities.
Area of Science:
- Medical Ethics
- Educational Psychology
Background:
- Case studies are valuable pedagogical tools, especially for complex subjects like ethics.
- Ethical dilemmas in research require contextual understanding, which case studies can provide.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of using literary works as case studies for teaching ethical issues in human experimentation.
- To assess student engagement and learning outcomes in a master's level ethics course.
Main Methods:
- Two literary works, "Pygmalion" and "Flowers for Algernon," were utilized as case studies.
- Master's students engaged with these literary case studies to explore ethical considerations in human research.
Main Results:
- The use of literary case studies was found to be successful in teaching ethical issues in human experimentation.
- Students reported the assignment as personally and professionally stimulating.
Conclusions:
- Literary case studies offer a unique and effective approach to teaching research ethics.
- The pedagogical strategy involving "Pygmalion" and "Flowers for Algernon" is recommended for continued use in ethics education.
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