Science is an ongoing process that serves to investigate phenomena, gain new insights or correct prior knowledge and this only works in discourse. This includes diversity of opinion, tolerance and a broad debate space. Notably, transparency is crucial to science. For example, if someone is unwilling to reveal how they got their results, nobody can replicate them or examine them (examples will be given). The participants of this course will acquire knowledge about open science, pre-publication processing (journal types, DOAJ list, guidelines, EndNote, meaning of a Preprint, public pre-assessments and the like) and publication processes such as the submission process, peer review process, digitalization process including the development of publication costs as well as the meaning of impact factors. However, the focus of this course will be rather on good scientific practice (GSP) and good laboratory practice (GLP) and how to distinguish between those. More specifically, the participants will learn how results can be (well) documented, why positive and negative controls are important and how to deal with image sources and limitation of studies. In addition, the participants will understand the “Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development” (OECD) principles of GLP. On the other hand, the participants will also acquire knowledge what can go wrong in GSP and GLP (glaring examples). Current study and video material will be shown and made available, with the help of which the participants will learn how scientific misconduct has been uncovered so far, data and quality controls have been omitted (blatant examples). The last part of the 6-part course is about the general understanding of (open) science and open discourse (advanced online media use). Participants can present their own scientific work (thesis, doctoral thesis) and show what contribution they can/could make or have made to the scientific community. This course is primarily aimed at both undergraduate and graduate students in medical and natural science subjects who are more likely to pursue a research career (basic researcher, clinical scientist, neuroscience, molecular medicine researcher).

The lecture will be assigned to the following weekly subunits (with revision books, active attendance)
(e.g. always approx. 40 min presentation and 5 min active discussion of the students):

1. Pre-publication process
2. Publication process
3. GSP and GLP principles
4. GSP/GLP misconduct (1)
5. GSP/GLP misconduct (2)
6. Meaning of Science, presentation of own contribution to scientific community

The journal club will be scheduled after the lecture (ca. 20 min presentations and discussions)

Optional: Short and long essay questions about the content of the lecture can be prepared for grading if applicable. Presentations for Journal Club is scheduled.

Suggestions

• www.charite.de/en/research/research_support_services/office_for_research_integrity/events/
• www.dfg.de/en/service/press/press_releases/2012/press_release_no_55/index.html
• www.gov.uk/guidance/good-laboratory-practice-glp-for-safety-tests-on-chemicals
• www.oecd.org/chemicalsafety/testing/oecdseriesonprinciplesofgoodlaboratorypracticeglpandcompliancemonitoring.htm

Optional

• www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-doubt-is-essential-to-science/
• help.osf.io/article/230-preprint-faqs