Types of Research
Ethnographic Research
- Ethnographic research is subject to the Common Rule (“Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects,” DHHS 45 CFR 46; http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/guidance/45cfr46.htm)
- Although ethnographic research takes place in natural settings and differs significantly from clinical research, ethnographic research projects are subject to review by an CU-IRB to ensure that the participants in the proposed research are not harmed.
- Review of ethnographic research should be commensurate with the level of risk of harm vs. the potential benefits of each specific research project. The review should consider the likelihood or probability of harm, the severity of harm, and the duration of harm. Each project should be examined on its own merit.
Qualitative Research
- Informed consent is an important part of qualitative research. Much qualitative research is exploratory, and the areas of inquiry may not be apparent even to the research team at the time the study is initiated. Qualitative research should be designed to sustain the consent process throughout the course of a subject’s participation.
- If identifiers must be retained (for longitudinal studies, or where subjects are videotaped or audiotaped), and if the research deals with very sensitive topics, it may be appropriate to seek a certificate of confidentiality to protect against compelled disclosure – by federal, state, or local authorities – of identifying information.
Internet Research
The internet is an insecure medium as data in transit in vulnerable. So, internet data collection is rarely private, anonymous, or even confidential. The potential source of risk is harm resulting from a breach of confidentiality. This risk is accentuated if the research involves data that places subjects at risk of criminal or civil liability or could damage their financial standing, employability, reputation or could be stigmatizing
