Responsible Conduct of Research Role Plays: Conflict of Interest
Using Role Plays in Ethics Education Role playing can be a powerful learning experience and stimulate lively discussion and debate. However, this active learning technique, which most people are unfamiliar with, can also make participants feel awkward and uncomfortable at first. The key to its use is to introduce and frame the technique to any group before starting. Note to Moderator: After the workshop participants should receive as a handout the section labeled " Resources. " That section also includes a summary of the role play. Introduction (2 3 minutes) We generally start a session by talking about the technique and why we use it. We often label it as " experiential " or " active " learning as we talk about it. This introduction can be done relatively quickly and will improve the participation and comfort level of the group. Points we make include: Role playing is a type of active learning technique. As such, it promotes deep learning, long term retention and can be very memorable and powerful. Participants might feel awkward at first, but they are encouraged to participate as fully as possible. The more authentically they engage in their role the more they will learn. There are no " right " answers in role plays. Participants are not being graded. The purpose of the exercise is to provide an active learning experience in a safe setting where ethical issues can be explored without being about a real problem Because role plays (or simulations) are participatory, educators believe that the information learned will be retained longer and will be more easily accessible in the future if it is needed. This training will help participants be prepared to recognize and address ethical problems. By grappling with the sorts of ethical problems that arise regularly in professional life in this safe, non threatening role play setting, participants can think through the problem and gain some skills and tools to use should they ever encounter such a problem. We think of this as an " inoculation model. " By practicing these conversations you become " vaccinated " and thus better able to resist confusion and anxiety when questions of ethical research arise. These scenarios are based on real situations that real people encountered. (You cannot make this stuff up. After the role play we will discuss the experience. We also will discuss the outcome of the real life situation upon which the role play