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Policy and procedures for the conduct of research involving human subjects
While this Policy covers all research on human subjects (as defined in the
Purpose) and is intended to safeguard those subjects’ rights, researchers
themselves also bear responsibility for safeguarding those rights. Thus, they
are expected to adhere to the following Statement of Principles and Ethics,
and are encouraged to consult additional disciplinary statements such as those
referenced below.
STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES AND ETHICS
Compliance With Law, Standards, and College Policy. Researchers plan and conduct
research with human participants in a manner consistent with federal and state
law and regulations, as well as professional disciplinary standards governing
the conduct of research. As required by this Policy, researchers obtain institutional
approval prior to conducting research.
Informed Consent to Participate. Prior to conducting research (except research
involving only anonymous surveys, naturalistic observations, or similar research),
researchers enter into an agreement with participants that clarifies the nature
of the research. Participants are informed of all features of the research
that might influence their willingness to participate. Further, researchers
respect each participant's freedom to decline to participate in research or
discontinue participation at any time for any reason and without penalty.
Minimization of Invasiveness and Harm. Researchers protect participants from
physical and mental discomfort, harm, and danger. Risks to participants are
minimized and explained to the participant before she or he agrees to participate.
If the research procedure has undesirable effects on participants, the researcher
should remedy these effects.
Deception in Research. Researchers do not conduct an investigation involving
deception unless they have determined that the use of deceptive techniques
is justified by the prospective scientific or educational value and that equally
effective alternative procedures that do not use deception are not feasible.
Confidentiality and Privacy. All personally identifiable information obtained
from participants is confidential. When the possibility exists that others
may obtain this information, participants are informed of this before they
consent to participate. All information and data are handled, stored, and discarded
in a manner that insures the confidentiality of each participant.
Links to disciplinary professional organizations’ statements of ethics:
American Anthropological Association
American Psychological Association
American Sociological Association
American Statistical Association
Association of American Geographers
Society for Applied Anthropology
Society for Research in Child Development
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services -- Office for Human Research
Protections
U.S.
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (The "Belmont" report)
American Political Science Association
Society for Neuroscience
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(Membership & Committee Process)
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