Research Ethics and Methods

Due Tuesday 2/14. 200-1000 words.

First, describe the methods you plan on using in your project: library research, interviews, surveys, field work, qualitative, quantitative, etc.

Then, consider and discuss all the relevant ethical issues related to the research and presentation of your project.

While not all of you will be using human subjects in your research, the readings we used can be broadly applied and therefore should be directly cited in your statement, e.g. respect for persons as autonomous agents and protection of persons with diminished autonomy might apply in terms of how your research might be used for or against a person or group of persons. I expect all issues raised in the Belmont Report and SFAA Guide to be considered in your statement. However, you should also go beyond these readings in analyzing the ethical implications of your project -– think carefully about all aspects of the project, who might be hurt or helped, environmental effects, etc.

Please remember that there are likely to be positive issues as well as negative –- your project might help a group of people or have some other beneficial effect, and you should address this possibility in your statement.

For those of you completing human subjects research as part of your senior project (surveys, interviews, etc.) you should also read the ASU Institutional Review Board policies for human subjects research and informed consent and submit the appropriate forms to your instructor.

http://www.graduate.appstate.edu/orsp/research/irb/index.php