In recent years our society has become increasingly aware that when researchers
study people, they may inadvertently harm them---not just physically but emotionally,
by embarrassing them or violating their privacy. So every college or university now
has a Human Subjects Committee that reviews all research directly or indirectly
involving people, when done by students or professional researchers. Its aim is to
make sure that researchers follow the rule that should govern research as it does
medicine: Do no harm. So check with that committee if you use people as sources of
data---by interviewing them, surveying them, or even just observing them. You don’t
need clearance if you informally talk with a few dorm mates for a paper in a first-year
writing class (to be polite, you should still tell them what you intend to do with the
information they give you). You will likely need clearance if you are a graduate
student and want to do a survey on campus that collects personal data of any kind. But
if you are an advanced researcher, you must without fail get clearance before you do
any kind of research that involves people. Going through these steps may be annoying,
but if you don’t, you could harm those who help you in ways you don’t anticipate and
your institution could pay a price.
【題組】49. Which of the following research requires clearance from the Human Subjects
Committee?
(A) A survey of learning styles in the class you are teaching
(B) Informal talks with your dorm mates
(C) Frequency counts of certain English word
(D)A Writing an autobiography