Re: Interviews/Ethnographic Research

From: Dan L Burk <BURKDANL[_at_]shu.edu>
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1998 10:01:10 -0400

On 09/28/98, Tamika Hughes <hughes[_at_]mail.is.temple.edu> wrote:
>
> Are signed agreements from participants necessary before an
> interview can be published if the names have been changed? I have
> heard from one source that an author must obtain signed releases
> from interviewees OR use pseudonyms in the published work. However,
> another source seems to think that signed releases are ALWAYS
> required. Can anyone clarify?

For purposes of what body of law? I think it unlikely that a research subject could maintain an action for, say, invasion of privacy if pseudonyms and identifying details are removed from the publication. On the other hand, research ethics or IRB requirements might mandate a release in any event. The context of the inquiry makes all the difference.

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Dan L. Burk
Seton Hall University
burkdanl[_at_]shu.edu

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Received on Tue Sep 29 1998 - 13:50:36 GMT