Internet research and the implications for ethical research practice

Internet research and the implications for ethical research practice

The Internet has extended the opportunity for researchers to investigate human actions and interactions. This study aims to critically examine the various ways that ethical considerations associated with Internet-Mediated Research (IMR) are constructed as a social reality by Australian Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) and the implications for research practice. This project builds on research undertaken in the United States by Buchannan and Ess (2009) which discussed US Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) and the state of Internet research ethics. An explanatory sequential mixed design, consisting of two distinct phases was conducted (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2003). Quantitative data was collected and analysed in the first phase (Study 1) via an online survey of Australian Human Research Ethics Committee members from March to April 2016. Semi-structured interviews (n=3) were then conducted with Chairpersons of Australian Human Research Ethics Committees (Study 2) and analysed to further explain and clarify results found in the first data collection phase. Results of current processes and practices of Australian HRECs obtained in Study 1 were found to be similar to those reported by US IRBs and suggested that ethical review boards may be ill-equipped and ill-trained to navigate the review of IMR protocols. However, the addition of a qualitative overlay via the Australian HREC Chairperson’s interviews in Study 2 provided additional detail that suggested that reviewing IMR protocols is more complex than previously understood. Thematic analysis of the interview data identified that the ethical review of IMR protocols is thoroughly undertaken via a principle-based process as it is not viewed as being different to any other research method or tool. Additionally, ethical responsibility in this space is shared amongst the HREC, researchers, and participants themselves.