What is a two-minute challenge (2MC)?

Each 2MC presents a dilemma based on real-life situations. Though they cannot all necessarily be resolved in two minutes, they usually require some kind of response in two minutes—or less. The 2MCs provide an opportunity, in a safe educational setting, to work through each challenge. The 2MCs are designed around problems that are directly relevant to the audience for which they are intended.

How can 2MCs be used in instruction?

2MCs can be posed, discussed and debriefed within short periods of time, permitting them to be used as discussion starters, segments of larger class sessions, at a journal club, or in a workshop on
research ethics. Topics covered by the 2MCs map to the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) education topics mandated by federal regulations. For example, in a class on research methods, a 2MC that relates to the topic of the class could be used as an opening or concluding segment. A
2MC could be also be assigned as a homework question and then later discussed in class or used as a short writing assignment.

For those who will be leading discussion of the 2MC, there is an annotated discussion leader outline. Each 2MC also includes a bibliography and links to current articles and events that help connect its topic to broader readings and resources.

Why this decision-making framework?

Different approaches to decision-making exist in ethics instruction, in universities and in corporations. This particular framework covers many of the questions that need to be addressed to resolve successfully dilemmas of professional and research ethics. Repeated demonstration and use of a structured analytical decision-making approach for ethical dilemmas can help develop moral reasoning. The goal is to foster more independent and sophisticated reasoning.

Pedagogical Framework

Using 2MCs promotes experiential, interactive learning, engaging learners in realistic situations they may encounter in research or professional life. Professor Gunsalus refers to this as the inoculation approach to problems: exposure to potential issues in small doses can keep students
from developing full-blown cases of ethical problems later in their research careers.

The 2MC approach to research ethics is intended to present ethical dilemmas as part of everyday life. The goal of this approach is to foster deeper thought about resolving dilemmas of professional and research ethics, and to develop analytical habits for approaching them. Too often research and
professional ethics education focus on compliance with regulations rather than fostering moral development and professional skills. The 2MCs are designed to assist emerging professionals in
identifying problems and developing thoughtful responses to them, including where helpful, possible personal scripts that can be used to address a problem while preserving professional reputations and options. 

To view additional Two Minute Challenges, visit our main NCPRE website.