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31801-01 - Seminar: Empirical research in bioethics: qualitative and quantitative methods (2 CP)
| Semester | fall semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Every fall sem. |
| Lecturers |
Bernice Simone Elger (b.elger@unibas.ch, Assessor)
Caterina Montagnoli (caterina.montagnoli@unibas.ch) |
| Content | Over the last decades, bioethics - the field that studies ethical questions in the life sciences and medicine - has become a well-established academic discipline. Contemporary bioethics scholarship comprises not only the development of normative frameworks for problem solving, but also the collection and interpretation of empirical data that can inform bioethical debates. Bioethics is by definition an interdisciplinary domain; the questions it studies are too complex to be resolved by the methodological tools or approaches offered within one discipline, and as a result it utilizes methods coming from various disciplines. |
| Learning objectives | The course will focus discuss the following: different study designs (longitudinal, cross-sectional, time-series, experimental) as well as their advantages and disadvantages; and qualitative and quantitative methods and how they need to be customized to bioethical questions. In order for students to practice their methodological knowledge, they will (1) provide constructive criticism to a published paper dealing with a methodological question and (2) construct a qualitative interview guide as part of the course. |
| Comments | Tuesdays at 12:00-15:00, IBMB Library (Bernoullisstrasse 28, Room 203) on the following dates: 22.9.2026 29.9.2026 6.10.2026 13.10.2026 3.11.2026 10.10.2026 17.11.2026 24.11.2026 1.12.2026 1.12.2026 |
| Course application | MOnA and by mail to b.elger@unibas.ch |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Tuesday | 12.00-15.00 | Bernoullistrasse 28 |
| Comments |
IBMB Library (Room 203, Bernoullistrasse 28) |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 22.09.2026 | 12.00-15.00 | Bernoullistrasse 28, IBMB Library |
| Tuesday 29.09.2026 | 12.00-15.00 | Bernoullistrasse 28, IBMB Library |
| Tuesday 06.10.2026 | 12.00-15.00 | Bernoullistrasse 28, IBMB Library |
| Tuesday 13.10.2026 | 12.00-15.00 | Bernoullistrasse 28, IBMB Library |
| Tuesday 03.11.2026 | 12.00-15.00 | Bernoullistrasse 28, IBMB Library |
| Tuesday 10.11.2026 | 12.00-15.00 | Bernoullistrasse 28, IBMB Library |
| Tuesday 17.11.2026 | 12.00-15.00 | Bernoullistrasse 28, IBMB Library |
| Tuesday 24.11.2026 | 12.00-15.00 | Bernoullistrasse 28, IBMB Library |
| Tuesday 01.12.2026 | 12.00-15.00 | Bernoullistrasse 28, IBMB Library |
| Modules |
Aufbaumodul (Teil C) (Transfakultäre Querschnittsprogramme im freien Kreditpunkte-Bereich) Doctorate Biomedical Ethics: Recommendations (PhD subject: Biomedical Ethics (Start of studies before 01.08.2025)) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | 100% attendance and successful completion of points 1 and 2 of the Lernziele will result in a PASS for this seminar. Classes will take place on the mentioned Tuesdays in the IBMB library, Bernoullistrasse 28., Basel |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: teaching staff |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Medicine |
| Offered by | Institut für Bio- und Medizinethik |