scholarly journals On the (Mis)Use of Deception in Web-Based Research

2021 ◽  
Vol 229 (4) ◽  
pp. 225-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin E. Hilbig ◽  
Isabel Thielmann
Keyword(s):  
Analytical Data ◽  
Controversial Issue ◽  
Ethical Standards ◽  
Existence Proof ◽  
Behavioral Sciences ◽  
Ethics Codes ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Research Participants

Abstract. The deception of research participants remains a controversial issue in the behavioral sciences. Current ethics codes consistently limit the use of deception to cases in which non-deceptive alternatives are unfeasible and, crucially, require that participants subjected to deception be debriefed correspondingly along with an option to withdraw their data after learning about the deception. These conditions pose a particular challenge in the context of web-based research because participants can typically discontinue a study unilaterally (i.e., dropout by simply closing the browser window) in which case full debriefing and an option to withdraw one’s data are no longer available. As a consequence, the study would no longer be compatible with ethical standards. Based on recent meta-analytical data, we provide an existence proof of this problem, showing that deception is used in web-based research with little to no indication of safeguards ensuring full debriefing and subsequent data withdrawal options. We close by revisiting recommendations for the (non-)use of deception in web-based research and offer solutions to implement such safeguards in case deception is truly unavoidable.

Other Ethical Approval

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 204-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul-Azim Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Research Field ◽  
Ethical Standard ◽  
Religious Communities ◽  
Ethical Standards ◽  
American Anthropological Association ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Research Participants ◽  
Ethical Approval ◽  
Conducting Research ◽  
Insight Into

The researcher, in carrying the name of the institution, is bound to an ethical standard of behaviour; standards which are maintained through ethical approval that researchers must obtain from their departments before conducting research. There exists another form of ethical approval a fieldworker must obtain, that of their research participants. This Other Ethical Approval is often related to access; a participant must consider the researcher to have integrity in order to allow them the privileged insight into their own lives and behaviours. The article outlines and explores this secondary ethical approval derived from the author’s experience of conducting research as a doctoral student. It is argued that being attentive and conscious of the ethical standards of the research field can only improve the quality and rigour of the research, and is increasingly important in spaces where access is not easily obtained. After outlining the research project, there follows a statement of ethics as the author encountered and negotiated it in the field. It is expressed through statements derived from Islamic sacred texts, structured in a similar way to statements of ethics produced by scholarly associations such as the American Anthropological Association. This reflexive account will be of value to researchers interested in British Muslim studies, as well as to scholars researching contemporary religious communities more generally, who need ethical approval from their research participants.

scholarly journals Demographic, spatial and temporal dietary intake patterns among 526 774 23andMe research participants

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Janie F Shelton ◽  
Briana Cameron ◽  
Stella Aslibekyan ◽  
Robert Gentleman ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Spatial Patterns ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Processed Meat ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Weighted Estimates ◽  
Research Participants ◽  
The Usa

Abstract Objective: To characterise dietary habits, their temporal and spatial patterns and associations with BMI in the 23andMe study population. Design: We present a large-scale cross-sectional analysis of self-reported dietary intake data derived from the web-based National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009–2010 dietary screener. Survey-weighted estimates for each food item were characterised by age, sex, race/ethnicity, education and BMI. Temporal patterns were plotted over a 2-year time period, and average consumption for select food items was mapped by state. Finally, dietary intake variables were tested for association with BMI. Setting: US-based adults 20–85 years of age participating in the 23andMe research programme. Participants: Participants were 23andMe customers who consented to participate in research (n 526 774) and completed web-based surveys on demographic and dietary habits. Results: Survey-weighted estimates show very few participants met federal recommendations for fruit: 2·6 %, vegetables: 5·9 % and dairy intake: 2·8 %. Between 2017 and 2019, fruit, vegetables and milk intake frequency declined, while total dairy remained stable and added sugars increased. Seasonal patterns in reporting were most pronounced for ice cream, chocolate, fruits and vegetables. Dietary habits varied across the USA, with higher intake of sugar and energy dense foods characterising areas with higher average BMI. In multivariate-adjusted models, BMI was directly associated with the intake of processed meat, red meat, dairy and inversely associated with consumption of fruit, vegetables and whole grains. Conclusions: 23andMe research participants have created an opportunity for rapid, large-scale, real-time nutritional data collection, informing demographic, seasonal and spatial patterns with broad geographical coverage across the USA.

scholarly journals Is it Ethical to Log Users’ Actions in Software Engineering Experiments?

10.28945/2700 ◽  
2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amela Karahasanovic
Keyword(s):  
Software Engineering ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Ethical Standards ◽  
Paper Briefly ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Experimental Validity ◽  
Data Source ◽  
Mouse Movements ◽  
Human Participants

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of empirical studies in software engineering that involve human participants. Such studies have heightened the need for considering ethical issues. Researchers have not only moral, but also pragmatic, reasons for treating participants in their studies ethically. They want to maintain their access to the data source and to get funding for their research. Thus, the researchers need to be aware of both ethical issues in general, and those that are specific to a particular research practice. This paper briefly describes our experiences with a tool that logs all actions of the users/participants (commands, keystrokes and mouse movements), and collects their comments on a web-based screen. The tool was used in two usability studies and raised ethical issues concerning the assurance of confidentiality and minimization of inconvenience. The paper also discusses a conflict that appeared during these studies, between ethical standards and the ensuring of experimental validity.

scholarly journals ChemSpectra: A Web-based Spectra Editor for Analytical data

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Chieh Huang ◽  
Pierre Tremouilhac ◽  
An Nguyen ◽  
Nicole Jung ◽  
Stefan Bräse
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Spectroscopic Data ◽  
Analytical Data ◽  
Reference Signal ◽  
Resonance Spectroscopy ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Web Based ◽  
File Management ◽  
One Dimensional ◽  
Chemistry Research

Abstract ChemSpectra, a web-based software to visualize and analyze spectroscopic data, integrating solutions for IR (infrared spectroscopy), MS (mass spectrometry), and one dimensional 1H and 13C NMR (proton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopy, is described. ChemSpectra serves as work instrument for the analysis of the most often used types of one dimensional spectroscopic data in synthetic (organic) chemistry research. The software is able to deal with the open file formats JCAMP-DX (IR, MS, NMR) and mzML (MS), allowing the further extension to other formats as exemplarily shown for selected proprietary mass spectrometry data files of type RAW and NMR spectra files of type FID. The JavaScript based editor can be integrated with other software, which was shown for the Chemotion electronic lab notebook (ELN) and Chemotion repository, demonstrating the implementation to a digital work environment that offers additional functionality and sustainable research data management options. ChemSpectra supports different functions for the work with spectroscopic data such as zoom functions, peak picking and the automatic peak detection according to a default or manually defined threshold. NMR specific functions include the definition of a reference signal, the integration of signals, coupling constant calculation and multiplicity assignment. Embedded to a web application such as an ELN or a repository, the editor additionally allows the association to a sample and a file management. The file management supports the storage of the original spectra along with the last edited version and an automatically generated image of the spectra in png format. To maximize the benefit of the spectra editor for e.g. ELN users, an automated procedure for the transfer of the detected or manually chosen signals to the ELN was implemented. ChemSpectra is released under the AGPL license to encourage its re-use and further developments by the community.

scholarly journals Adherence with reporting of ethical standards in COVID-19 human studies: a rapid review

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lydia O’Sullivan ◽  
Ronan P. Killeen ◽  
Peter Doran ◽  
Rachel K. Crowley
Keyword(s):  
Informed Consent ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
Ethical Standards ◽  
Ethical Guidelines ◽  
Editorial Policies ◽  
Research Participants ◽  
Declaration Of Helsinki

Abstract Background Patients with COVID-19 may feel under pressure to participate in research during the pandemic. Safeguards to protect research participants include ethical guidelines [e.g. Declaration of Helsinki and good clinical practice (GCP)], legislation to protect participants’ privacy, research ethics committees (RECs) and informed consent. The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) advises researchers to document compliance with these safeguards. Adherence to publication guidelines has been suboptimal in other specialty fields. The aim of this rapid review was to determine whether COVID-19 human research publications report compliance with these ethical safeguards. Methods A rapid systematic literature review was conducted in MEDLINE using the search term ‘COVID-19’. The search was performed in April 2020 with no start date and repeated to include articles published in November 2020. Filters were ‘Full free text available’ and ‘English Language’. Two reviewers assessed article title, abstracts and full texts. Non-COVID-19 articles and non-clinical studies were excluded. Independent reviewers conducted a second assessment of a random 20% of articles. The outcomes included reporting of compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki and GCP, REC approval, informed consent and participant privacy. Results The searches yielded 1275 and 1942 articles of which 247 and 717 were deemed eligible, from the April  search and November respectively. The majority of journals had editorial policies which purported to comply with ICMJE ethical standards. Reporting of compliance with ethical guidelines was low across all study types but was higher in the November search for case series and observational studies. Reporting of informed consent for case studies and observational studies was higher in the November search, but similar for case series. Overall, participant confidentiality was maintained but some case studies included a combination of details which would have enabled participant identification. Reporting of REC approval was higher in the November search for observational studies. Conclusions While the majority of journal’s editorial policies purported to support the ethical safeguards, many COVID-19 clinical research publications identified in this rapid review lacked documentation of these important safeguards for research participants. In order to promote public trust, ethical declarations should be included consistently.

scholarly journals Skype in Qualitative Interviews: Participant and Researcher Perspectives

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Mirick ◽  
Stephanie Wladkowski
Keyword(s):  
Visual Cues ◽  
Doctoral Programs ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Qualitative Interviewing ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Research Participants ◽  
Research Interviews ◽  
Rapid Pace ◽  
Face Time

As Internet usage has increased, web-based technologies such as Skype and Face Time have become more common alternatives for qualitative interviewing, especially for research participants who are geographically distant from the researchers. Challenges to the use of these tools have been identified, but as technology is currently changing at a rapid pace, more recent research is needed to provide up-to-date information on the feasibility of web and video conferencing technologies for qualitative interviewing. This paper reflects on the experience of using Skype for qualitative research interviews (n=14) in a study of pregnancy and parenting in doctoral programs, including feedback from research participants who chose to complete the qualitative interview via Skype instead of telephone or face-to-face interviews. Twelve participants who completed Skype interviews provided feedback on their experiences using Skype for qualitative interviews. Feedback from participants highlight an overall positive perception of Skype interviews due to the availability of visual cues from researchers and flexibility, but participants also shared challenges in terms of technology issues and participants’ lack of expertise with the technology. Recommendations include the use of videoconferencing and digital technologies as an additional or alternative interview tool for qualitative interviews, especially for participants who have logistical challenges meeting researchers face-to-face.

scholarly journals Development of a web-based teaching resource for analytical science practitioners

2016 ◽  
pp. 61-63
Author(s):  
Mike Batham ◽  
Kate Brashaw ◽  
Rob Janes ◽  
Ruth Williams
Keyword(s):  
Good Practice ◽  
Analytical Data ◽  
Water Industry ◽  
Laboratory Management ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Teaching Laboratory ◽  
Teaching Resource ◽  
Multimedia Teaching ◽  
Laboratory Techniques ◽  
Safety Procedures

This paper describes the production of multimedia teaching material aimed at working analysts in the water industry who are studying the Open University‟s Foundation Degree in Analytical Sciences. In collaboration with staff at Scottish Water, Edinburgh laboratories, audio and video materials were produced which demonstrate a number of basic laboratory techniques routinely carried out in chemistry and microbiology laboratories. Teaching laboratory techniques (and associated safety procedures) is by its very nature a visual process, and requires the cultivation of a skill base and good practice that can only be gained by repetition. However an initial „show and tell‟ stage is required. This is extended to coverage of aspects of laboratory management, and how analysts work in teams to produce analytical data for the customer.

scholarly journals Demographic, spatial, and temporal dietary intake patterns among 526,774 23andMe research participants

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janie F. Shelton ◽  
Briana Cameron ◽  
Stella Aslibekyan ◽  
Robert Gentleman ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Spatial Patterns ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Processed Meat ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Weighted Estimates ◽  
Research Participants ◽  
The U.S

AbstractObjectiveTo characterize dietary habits, their temporal and spatial patterns, and associations with body mass index (BMI) in the 23andMe study population.DesignWe present a large-scale cross-sectional analysis of self-reported dietary intake data derived from the web-based NHANES 2009-2010 dietary screener. Survey-weighted estimates for each food item were characterized by age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, and BMI. Temporal patterns were plotted over a 2-year time period, and average consumption for select food items was mapped by state. Finally, dietary intake variables were tested for association with BMI.SettingU.S. based adults 20-85 years of age participating in the 23andMe research program.ParticipantsParticipants were 23andMe customers who consented to participate in research (n=526,774) and completed web-based surveys on demographic and dietary habits.ResultsSurvey-weighted estimates show very few participants met federal recommendations for fruit: 2.6%, vegetables: 5.9%, and dairy intake: 2.8%. Between 2017-2019, fruit, vegetables, and milk intake frequency declined, while total dairy remained stable and added sugars increased. Seasonal patterns in reporting were most pronounced for ice cream, chocolate, fruits, and vegetables. Dietary habits varied across the U.S., with higher intake of sugar and calorie dense foods characterizing areas with higher average BMI. In multivariate-adjusted models, BMI was directly associated with intake of processed meat, red meat, dairy, and inversely associated with consumption of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains.Conclusions23andMe research participants have created an opportunity for rapid, large scale, real time nutritional data collection, informing demographic, seasonal and spatial patterns with broad geographical coverage across the U.S.

scholarly journals What do you mean by ‘informed consent’? Ethics in economic development research

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Josephson ◽  
Melinda Smale
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Informed Consent ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Institutional Review Boards ◽  
Voluntary Participation ◽  
Ethical Standards ◽  
Development Research ◽  
Research Participants ◽  
Institutional Review

The ethical conduct of research requires the informed consent and voluntary participation of research participants. Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) work to ensure that these ethical standards are met. However, incongruities in perspective and practice exist across regions. In this paper, we focus on informed consent as practiced by agricultural and applied economists, with emphasis on research conducted in low income and/or developing countries. IRB regulations are clear but heterogeneous, emphasizing process, rather than outcome. The lack of IRBs and institutional reviews in some contexts and the particulars of the principles employed in others may fail to adequately protect research participants.

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