[Air-l] ethical issues in chat room research

[reuven shlozberg]

Hi all, 

a friend and fellow PhD, Tutku Aydin, has asked to pass this question to
you. if you have responses for her could you send them directly to
tutku.aydin at utoronto.ca. 

In particular, if any of Barry's students have had to deal with these
issues in the context of UofT's "ethics review" requirement, i assume
that'd be particularly helpful for her. 

thanks,
reuven

<begin pasted section>

My research involves transnational ethnic identity formation through the
discursive interactions over the internet.

What is the standard related to quoting people in a
chatroom or in a discussion list on the internet? When you become a
member of
the list should you identify yourself as an observer of the list? Should
you
ask for informed consent of the people with a letter if you are quoting,
or
paraphrasing people? Or are these chat or discussion environments are
considered public billboards and people should be aware that they can be
quoted when writing to those places? Is it ok to quote people or
paraphrase
people by using (double)pseudonyms so that they cannot be easily
identifiable? 

<end pasted section>

Reuven Shlozberg
Political Science
University of Toronto

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