The ethics of research using electronic mail discussion groups

Citation Detail

Title:

The ethics of research using electronic mail discussion groups.

Authors:

Kralik, Debbie^1,2 dkralik@bigpond.net.au
Warren, Jim³
Price, Kay⁴
Koch, Tina⁵
Pignone, Gino⁶

Source:

Journal of Advanced Nursing; Dec2005, Vol. 52 Issue 5, p537-545, 9p

Document Type:

Article

Subject Terms:

*MEDICINE -- Research
*RESEARCH -- Moral & ethical aspects
*ELECTRONIC mail systems
*ELECTRONIC discussion groups
*RESEARCH teams

Author-Supplied Keywords:

electronic mail
ethics
Internet
nursing
qualitative research

NAICS/Industry Codes:

541712 Reseach and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
519130 Internet Publishing and Broadcasting and Web Search Portals

Abstract:

Aim. The aim of this paper is to identify and discuss the ethical considerations that have confronted and challenged the research team when researchers facilitate conversations using private electronic mail discussion lists. Background. The use of electronic mail group conversations, as a collaborative data generation method, remains underdeveloped in nursing. Ethical challenges associated with this approach to data generation have only begun to be considered. As receipt of ethics approval for a study titled; ‘ Describing transition with people who live with chronic illness’ we have been challenged by many ethical dilemmas, hence we believe it is timely to share the issues that have confronted the research team. These discussions are essential so we can understand the possibilities for research interaction, communication, and collaboration made possible by advanced information technologies. Discussion. Our experiences in this study have increased our awareness for ongoing ethical discussions about privacy, confidentiality, consent, accountability and openness underpinning research with human participants when generating data using an electronic mail discussion group. We describe how we work at upholding these ethical principles focusing on informed consent, participant confidentiality and privacy, the participants as threats to themselves and one another, public–private confusion, employees with access, hackers and threats from the researchers. Conclusion. A variety of complex issues arise during cyberspace research that can make the application of traditional ethical standards troublesome. Communication in cyberspace alters the temporal, spatial and sensory components of human interaction, thereby challenging traditional ethical definitions and calling to question some basic assumptions about identity and ones right to keep aspects of it confidential. Nurse researchers are bound by human research ethics protocols; however, the nature of research by electronic mail generates moral issues as well as ethical concerns. Vigilance by researchers is required to ensure that data are viewed within the scope of the enabling ethics approval. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

 

Copyright of Journal of Advanced Nursing is the property of Blackwell Publishing Limited and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Author Affiliations:

¹Senior Research Fellow, School of Nursing & Midwifery, University of South Australia, Australia
²Research Unit, Royal District Nursing Service, Glenside, South Australia
³Associate Professor, Advanced Computing Research Centre, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, Australia
⁴Senior Lecturer, School of Nursing & Midwifery, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
⁵Adjunct Professor of Nursing, School of Nursing & Midwifery, University of South Australia, Glenside, Australia
⁶Fundraising Co-ordinator, Parkinson's (SA Inc.), Unley, Australia

ISSN:

03092402

DOI:

10.1111/j.1365-2648.2005.03612.x

Accession Number:

18724964

Persistent link to this record (Permalink):

Database:

Academic Search Premier

Publisher Logo: