How to Prepare an Ethical Review Board Committee Application for an Online Research Project (original) (raw)

2022, SAGE Publications Ltd eBooks

Online spaces are fluid, evolving and ephemeral, all of which pose potential ethical challenges when undertaking online research. A key milestone of a research project is completing an ethics application, however, this can potentially be more challenging when completing an application for an online research project, as Ethics Boards may be unfamiliar with online research; traditional frameworks and guidelines may not be applicable; and methodological approaches may need redesigned in order to accommodate the online environment. This how-to guide explores the different areas of online research that should be considered when completing an ethics application. In doing so, this will ensure that you present a clear and comprehensive account of your research project in your ethics application, including aspects specific to online research, namely how your online identity will be managed; how anonymity, privacy and informed consent will be dealt with or if this is not possible or necessary, providing an explanation as to how this will be dealt with; how data will be collected, stored, and destroyed in line with legislation and/or guidelines; a risk assessment; and importantly, referring to existing research, guidelines, or frameworks that relate to online research and align with your project. Learning Outcomes • Recognise the role of ethical review boards; • Identify the core requirements for an ethics application for online research; • Identify and explain the ethical challenges and considerations of online research in relation to your online identity, data management, risks, privacy, anonymity, and informed consent; • Apply appropriate ethical guidelines, frameworks, methodologies, or legislation applicable to online research and include these in an ethics application.