ETHICS AND ONLINE INTERACTION RESEARCH: A STRATEGY FOR ACCESSING THE DATA ethics.doc

Researchers studying online interaction sometimes face obstacles in getting their proposed work approved by institutional Research Ethics Boards (REBs), mandated in Canada by the federal Tri-Council Policy (TCP) (1998). This paper describes a strategy for assuring compliance with the TCP in designing research with transcripts, thus facilitating REB approval. It also suggests (in the Attachments) arguments researchers might use to challenge narrow interpretations of the TCP by REBs, especially regarding minimal risk research such as transcript studies. Background Canada’s position on the ethical treatment of human subjects is the Tri-Counci