Knowledge clip 5: the dilemma game

The Dilemma Game has been developed by Erasmus University Rotterdam to stimulate awareness of research integrity. 

The game wants to make trainees reflect on a particular case, a so-called dilemma. They should consider how to act in an integer way whenever they are confronted with a difficult situation. One has to evaluate the different options, the advantages and disadvantages for each option. While reflecting on the different options, it will become clear that the dilemma does not have one single correct answer. In this exercise trainees need to select one option, and motivate their choice. As a trainer, you can link the different options and considerations during the discussion to the good research practices, presented in the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity.

The dilemma game exists on paper and online, in an app. The online version is freely available and contains over a 100 dilemmas, it presents a nice tool to discuss research integrity in a quick and easy way. 

It is advisable to watch clip 1 (basics) and clip 2 (trainer perspective) first.

This clip dates from February 2022 - last check February 2024. 

Content links from the clip

The tool often refers to additional interpretation or material to shape your own insights but also your intended training course. We list them here:

CC license for reuse of material https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/
European Code of Conduct on Research Integrity https://allea.org/code-of-conduct

The Dilemma Game https://www.eur.nl/en/about-eur/policy-and-regulations/integrity/research-integrity/dilemma-game
VIRT2EU training guide: Modified Dilemma Game https://www.embassy.science/wiki/Instruction:A0dd2e82-52e7-4030-a396-54525630e75c

In general, following links are always useful to consult: 

Movie + online tool – On being a scientist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCgZSjoxF7c
Wiki platform on research integrity https://embassy.science

The research integrity training knowledge clips: a series of 7 clips 

This video is part of Ghent University’s knowledge clips on training research integrity. In total there are 7 clips:
Knowledge clip 1 – presentation: the basics
Knowledge clip 2 – presentation: the trainer perspective
Knowledge clip 3 – exercise: the good researcher
Knowledge clip 4 – exercise: the lab
Knowledge clip 5 – exercise: the dilemma game
Knowledge clip 6 – exercise: the middle position
Knowledge clip 7 – exercise: closure

Knowledge clip 1 and 2 have a theoretical approach. Clip 1 deals with the concept of research integrity. Clip 2 is more reflexive on the role of the teacher/trainer.

Clips 3 to 7 each deal with a different learning or exercise format and are directly applicable, both in terms of the content of the 'learning material' and in terms of support material for the teacher/trainer.

It is advisable to watch clip 1 and clip 2 first. The other clips can be used according to one’s own needs. The exercises are based on existing training material (in particular from the VIRT2UE project). The exercises were finetuned to fit better into the training context at Ghent University.

The clips aim to inspire and support (future) research integrity trainers. Both the theoretical background and the exercises can be used in different training settings, e.g., in a research environment (for example as postdoc in your research group, as group leader; professor or PI, etc.) or in the regular educational setting (as a teacher in BaMa courses).

Attention to the concept of research integrity is a prerequisite for quality work in all of academia.