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'''Research ethics''' make up the first pillar of the [https://github.com/worldbank/dime-standards/tree/master/dime-research-standards DIME Research Standards] compiled by [https://www.worldbank.org/en/research/dime/data-and-analytics DIME Analytics]. '''Ethical research''' requires the [[Impact Evaluation Team|research team]] to meet certain standards while conducting research, and ensures that steps taken to reach the outcomes of a study are just as important as the outcomes themselves.
[[Impact Evaluation Team|Impact evaluation teams]] (or '''research teams''') often work with, or have access to, datasets that contain sensitive or [[Personally Identifiable Information (PII)|personal identifiable information (PII)]] on individuals. They can either have [[Primary Data Collection|direct access]] (for instance, through a [[Field Surveys|field survey]]), or [[Secondary Data Sources|indirect access]] to this data (for instance, in the form of '''call data records (CDR)'''). In both cases, it is important to ensure that '''research teams''' act '''ethically'''. Broadly, '''ethical research''' means that research teams must [[IRB Approval|obtain necessary approvals]], [[Protecting Human Research Subjects|protect human subjects]], [[Informed Consent|obtain informed consent]], and [[De-identification|ensure confidentiality]]. This also means that the research team should clearly think about, and be transparent about [[Data Ownership|ownership]] of the data they use. '''Research ethics''' ensure that that steps taken to reach the outcomes of a study are just as important as the outcomes themselves, and help improve the validity of results  of a study. Note that Research Ethics and [[Data Security|data security]] go hand-in-hand.
Impact evaluations often directly involve [[Protecting Human Research Subjects|human subjects]], and the '''research team''' often [[Primary Data Collection|collects]] sensitive or [[Personally Identifiable Information (PII)|personal identifiable information (PII)]]. There are several ethical concerns related to handling personal data, and [[Publishing Data|publishing]] results from a field study. The '''research team''' must ensure complete [[De-identification|confidentiality]] of [[Survey Pilot Participants|respondents]], and ensure that respondents are providing [[Informed Consent|informed consent]], which they can withdraw at any time.  
 
== Read First ==
== Read First ==
* [https://github.com/worldbank/dime-standards/tree/master/dime-research-standards/pillar-1-research-ethics DIME Research Ethics Standards], compiled by [https://www.worldbank.org/en/research/dime/data-and-analytics DIME Analytics].
* The [https://github.com/worldbank/dime-standards/tree/master/dime-research-standards/pillar-1-research-ethics DIME Research Ethics Guidelines] discuss key guidelines for researchers affiliated with [https://www.worldbank.org/en/research/dime DIME].
* [[Protecting Human Research Subjects|Protecting human research subjects]] and [[Informed Consent|informed consent]].
* A '''human subject''' is a living individual about whom the [[Impact Evaluation Team|research team]] obtains [[Personally Identifiable Information (PII)|personal identifiable information (PII)]], either directly or indirectly.
* The [[Impact Evaluation Team|impact evaluation team]] (or '''research team''') must get an '''ethics approval''' from an [[IRB Approval|institutional review board (IRB)]], and an appropriate authority in the study location.  
* The idea of '''research ethics''' has the following aspects - [[IRB Approval|ethics approvals]], [[Protecting Human Research Subjects|protecting human subjects]], [[Informed Consent|informed consent]], and [[De-identification|confidentiality]].
* All members of the research team who handle [[Personally Identifiable Information (PII)|personally identifiable information (PII)]] must have up-to-date '''Human Subjects Research Certification'''.
* Each of these components is important to ensure that '''research teams''' stick to certain ethical standards while conducting research.
* '''Research ethics''', along with other pillars of research - [[Pre-Registration|transparency]], [[Reproducible Research|reproducibility]], [[Data Security|data security]], and [[Publishing Data|data publication]] - ensures greater validity for the results of a research study.
 
== Protecting Human Subjects ==
Members of the [[Impact Evaluation Team|research team]] must ensure that they [[Protecting Human Research Subjects|protect human research subjects]] and their rights, including the '''right to privacy'''. In this context, all living individuals whose sensitive or [[Personally Identifiable Information (PII)|personally identifiable information (PII)]] is contained in the datasets being used in the study are considered '''human subjects'''. Therefore, '''ethical research''' requires that all members of the '''research team''' who handle '''personally identifiable information (PII)''' must have up-to-date '''human research subjects certification'''. Two organizations that offer courses to certify research team members are:
* [https://phrp.nihtraining.com/users/login.php Protecting Human Research Participants (PHRP)]
* [https://about.citiprogram.org/en/series/human-subjects-research-hsr/ Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI)]
 
'''Note''': It does not matter whether the research team has [[Primary Data Collection|direct]], or [[Secondary Data Sources|indirect]] access to the data. If the dataset being used in the study contains '''personally identifiable information (PII)''' about individuals, then research team must protect the '''right to privacy''' of every such individual. Right to privacy includes ensuring confidentiality, privacy, and anonymity of study participants.
 
== Ethics Approvals ==
'''Institutional review boards (IRBs)''' are organizations that review and monitor research studies  to [[Protecting Human Research Subjects|protect the rights]] of '''human subjects'''. The [[Impact Evaluation Team|research team]] must obtain [[IRB Approval|IRB approvals]] for studies that use [[Personally Identifiable Information (PII)|personally identifiable information]]. This is a powerful tool to promote '''ethical research''' because '''IRBs''' can deny research teams the right to use data if they do not follow proper guidelines while handling the data.
 
'''Note''': Keep the following points in mind with respect to '''ethics approvals''':
* It does not matter whether the research team collected the data [[Primary Data Collection|directly]], or [[Secondary Data Sources|indirectly]]. For example, consider a study that uses mobile phone location data to assess effectiveness of stay-at-home orders during COVID-19. In this case, the research team does not directly collect this data, but gets access to it through the telecom service provider. However, since this dataset contains sensitive information like names, phone numbers, and location of individuals, the research team must obtain an '''IRB approval'''.
 
* In addition to '''IRB approvals''', the research team should also obtain approvals from local institutions in the location of the study. This will ensure that the study complies with local regulations, and does not violate any laws in that area, particular with respect to the '''right to privacy'''.
 
== Informed Consent ==
Before collecting personal data from any individual involved in a research study, the [[Impact Evaluation Team|research team]] must obtain [[Informed Consent|informed consent]] from each individual. This means that the research team must clearly mention all possible risks and benefits from participating in a study, either for the [[Survey Pilot|survey pilot]] or as a [[Survey Pilot Participants|respondent]] in the actual survey. This is done through an informed consent module conducted at the start of a survey interview.
 
'''Note''': Keep the following points in mind regarding '''informed consent''':
* The '''human subjects''' must be able to refuse participation in a study at any point during the study.
 
* [https://www.worldbank.org/en/research/dime/data-and-analytics DIME Analytics] has created templates for [https://github.com/worldbank/dime-standards/blob/master/dime-research-standards/pillar-1-research-ethics/research-ethics-resources/informed-consent-templates/informed-consent-template-written.md written], [https://github.com/worldbank/dime-standards/blob/master/dime-research-standards/pillar-1-research-ethics/research-ethics-resources/informed-consent-templates/informed-consent-template-verbal.md oral], and [https://github.com/worldbank/dime-standards/blob/master/dime-research-standards/pillar-1-research-ethics/research-ethics-resources/informed-consent-templates/informed-consent-template-sms.md SMS] consent. Templates adapted to include COVID-19 risks are also available on the same [https://github.com/worldbank/dime-standards/tree/master/dime-research-standards/pillar-1-research-ethics/research-ethics-resources/informed-consent-templates repository].
 
* The mechanism of '''informed consent''' applies only to cases where the research team itself is [[Primary Data Collection|collecting data]], such as through a [[Field Surveys|field survey]], because in such cases the research team is directly interacting with the participants.
 
* However, in some cases, there is no opportunity for the research team to obtain '''informed consent'''. For example, consider cases where the research team only has [[Secondary Data Sources|indirect]] access to data, such as through '''call data records (CDR)''', or [[Administrative and Monitoring Data|administrative data]]. This does not mean that the '''right to privacy''' of individuals is not important in such a scenario. It simply means that the research team must use other mechanisms, such as ensuring '''confidentiality''' of sensitive information, which is discussed in the next section.
 
== Confidentiality ==
The [[Impact Evaluation Team|research team]] must also ensure complete '''anonymity''' and '''confidentiality'''. This means that the identity of study participants should remain hidden, and sensitive information of individuals should never be shared with anyone outside the research team. Research team members should be held personally liable for any actions that result in disclosure of sensitive and [[Personally Identifiable Information (PII)|personal]] data.
 
'''Note''': Keep the following points in mind regarding '''confidentiality''' and '''anonymity''' of study participants:
 
* All direct identifiers must be removed from working data sets as early in the research process as possible. This process is called [[De-identification|de-identification]].
 
* '''De-identification''' must be done even in cases where the research team collects data [[Secondary Data Sources|indirectly]], for instance, in the case of [[Administrative and Monitoring Data|administrative data]].
 
* At the time of '''de-identifying''' data, the research team must store an [[Encryption|encrypted]] version of the original raw data which still contains the '''personal identifiers'''.


== Before Data Collection ==
* Only those members of the research team who are listed by the [[IRB Approval|institutional review board (IRB)]] should have access to the '''encrypted''' versions of confidential information.
Before the [[Impact Evaluation Team|research team]] begins [[Primary Data Collection|primary data collection]], it is important to draft ethical standards that must be followed throughout the research study. The '''research team''' must follow the guidelines listed below to ensure ethical research:
* '''Pre-analysis plan.''' The research team must draft a detailed [[Pre-Analysis Plan | pre-analysis plan]] before starting the process of data collection. An ideal '''pre-analysis plan''' should discuss the following [[Randomized Evaluations: Principles of Study Design|principles of study design]] in as much detail as possible:
** '''Sample and level of randomization.''' The research team must decide on the process of [[Sampling|sampling]], as well as the level of [[Randomized Control Trials#Randomized Assignment|randomization]]. For example, the research team might decide to perform [[Stratified Random Sample|stratified random sampling]], and randomize on the level of households in a village.
** '''Sources of data.''' The research team must also decide the main sources of data they will use during the study. For example, the research team can use [[Administrative and Monitoring Data|administrative data]] for the study. <br>
** '''Key outcomes and primary hypothesis.''' The research team should also lay out their primary hypothesis, that is, the main question they want to answer using the study. This is also called [[Theory of Change|theory of change]]. They must also clearly lay out the outcomes they wish to achieve, and what indicators they will use to measure outcomes.


* '''Human subjects and PII.''' In most cases, '''impact evaluations''' involve directly interacting with, or collecting [[Personally Identifiable Information (PII)|personally identifiable information (PII)]] about '''human subjects'''. In such a case, the research team must obtain a '''human research subjects certification'''. Two commonly accepted courses that [[Impact Evaluation Team|research team members]] can take to get certified are:
* All research assistants '''(RAs)''', field coordinators '''(FCs)''', and other consultants or interns affiliated with the research team must sign '''non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)'''. These agreements should clearly state that they will not share any sensitive information with anyone outside the research team. For example, the [https://github.com/worldbank/dime-standards/blob/master/dime-research-standards/pillar-4-data-security/data-security-resources/dime-data-nda.md DIME NDA] is an example of such an agreement.
** [https://phrp.nihtraining.com/users/login.php Protecting Human Research Participants] is a free online course.
** [https://about.citiprogram.org/en/homepage/ Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI)] offers a course on [https://about.citiprogram.org/en/series/human-subjects-research-hsr/ human subjects research].


* '''IRB approval.''' An '''institutional review board (IRB)''' is an organization which reviews and approves all aspects of a research study involving '''human subjects'''. After members of a research team obtain '''human research subjects certification''', they must apply for an [[IRB Approval|IRB approval]].  
== Other Aspects of Ethical Research ==
=== Transparency ===
One of the most common concerns in research is the possibility of [[Impact Evaluation Team|research teams]] manipulating the results of a study before publishing it in a journal. This is called '''publication bias''', and can waste precious time and money. In order to make results of a study more '''transparent''', the '''research team''' can [[Pre-Registration | pre-register]] their study with a '''registry'''. Some of the common registries are:
* The [https://www.aeaweb.org/ American Economic Association (AEA)] hosts a [https://www.socialscienceregistry.org/ trial registry] specifically for [[Randomized Control Trials|randomized control trials]].  


* '''Informed consent.''' Before involving any subject in a research study, the research team must obtain [[Informed Consent|informed consent]] from each individual. This means that the research team must clearly mention all possible risks and benefits from participating in a study, either for the [[Survey Pilot|survey pilot]] or as a [[Survey Pilot Participants|respondent]] in the actual survey.
* The [https://www.3ieimpact.org/ International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie)] hosts the [https://ridie.3ieimpact.org/ Registry for International Development Impact Evaluations (RIDIE)] for both, [[Experimental Methods|experimental]] and [[Quasi-Experimental Methods|quasi-experimental research]] in developing countries.  


== During Data Collection ==
* The [https://osf.io/institutions/cos/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw-_j1BRDkARIsAJcfmTFQUYhsJDTOljYCOKEsRzjNJo5QQHO_SSgFCglP5wxcF_l0zImzEaoaAvAuEALw_wcB Open Science Framework] offers a [https://osf.io/prereg/ pre-registration platform], and also houses its own [https://osf.io/registries registry].
In some cases, the [[Impact Evaluation Team|research team]] does not need to obtain [[Informed Consent|informed consent]] from each individual. For instance, in cases where the research team is using [[Administrative and Monitoring Data|administrative data]], they can just obtain consent from the concerned government agency. However, even in such cases, when the research involves [[Data Analysis|analyzing]] data that contains sensitive or [[Personally Identifiable Information (PII)|personally identifiable information (PII)]], the research team must follow certain guidelines during data collection:  
* '''De-identification.''' Often [[Primary Data Collection|data collection]] involves handling, [[Data Cleaning|cleaning]] and [[Data Analysis|analyzing]] data that contains sensitive information like names, addresses, mobile phone numbers, bank or credit accounts, or location information. In such cases, it is important to ensure '''anonymity''' of individuals, by hiding the identity of individuals through [[De-identification|de-identification]]. In general, the research team should always work with and analyze '''de-identified data''', except in certain cases, such as [[Monitoring Data Quality|monitoring data quality]], or conducting a '''follow-up''' survey.


* '''Encryption.''' It is important to remember that simply '''de-identifying''' data is not enough. The members of the research team often share data using the internet, or store it in the cloud. In such cases, the data is exposed to several risks the data is exposed to some risk. Therefore, [[Encryption|encryption]] of this data is also important to protect the identity of participants.
However, while ensuring '''transparency''', research teams must not forget concerns about privacy of participants. Therefore, the research team must make sure that they do not disclose or publish [[Personally Identifiable Information (PII)|personally identifiable information (PII)]] or confidential data, and should [[Encryption|encrypt]] all such data as soon as they receive it from the '''field teams''', or an external organisation.


* '''Documentation and protocols.''' Another important aspect of ethical and [[Reproducible Research|reproducible research]] is to carefully [[Data Documentation|document]] before [[Publishing Data|public release]] of the results of a study. This also involves developing detailed [[Survey Protocols|protocols]] for handling and sharing data that contains '''personally-identifiable information (PII)'''.
=== Reproducibility ===
[[Reproducible Research|Reproducible research]] is the system of [[Data Documentation|documenting]] and [[Publishing Data|publishing]] results of an '''impact evaluation'''. At the very least, '''reproducibility''' allows other researchers to [[Data Analysis|analyze]] the same data to get the same results as the original study, which strengthens the conclusions of the original study. It is important to push researchers towards publishing '''reproducible research''' because the path to research findings is just as important as the findings themselves.


== After Data Collection ==
[https://www.worldbank.org/en/research/dime/data-and-analytics DIME Analytics] has also drafted the [https://github.com/worldbank/dime-standards/tree/master/dime-research-standards/pillar-3-research-reproducibility DIME Research Reproducibility Standards], which lists guidelines for ensuring '''reproducibility''' of research.
Even after data collection is complete, there are certain guidelines for ethical research that the [[Impact Evaluation Team|research team]] must follow before [[Publishing Data|publishing results]] of a study.
* '''Bias.''' One of the most common concerns in research is the possibility of researchers manipulating the results of a study before publishing it in a journal. This is called '''publication bias''', and can waste precious time and money. To ensure this does not happen, the research team can [[Pre-Registration | pre-register]] their study with a '''registry''', in addition to developing a [[Pre-Analysis Plan|pre-analysis plan]]. Some of the common registries are:
** The [https://www.aeaweb.org/ American Economic Association (AEA)] hosts a [https://www.socialscienceregistry.org/ trial registry] specifically for [[Randomized Control Trials|randomized control trials]]. <br>
** The [https://www.3ieimpact.org/ International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie)] provides a [http://www.ridie.org/ registry] for both, [[Experimental Methods|experimental]] and [[Quasi-Experimental Methods|quasi-experimental research]] in developing countries. <br>
** The [https://osf.io/institutions/cos/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw-_j1BRDkARIsAJcfmTFQUYhsJDTOljYCOKEsRzjNJo5QQHO_SSgFCglP5wxcF_l0zImzEaoaAvAuEALw_wcB Open Science Framework] offers a [https://osf.io/prereg/ pre-registration platform], and also houses its own [[https://osf.io/registries registry].


* '''Reproducible research.''' Another way to ensure ethical research is to [[Publishing Data |publically release]] data and codes for others to view and cross-check. This also ensures that research is not only transparent, but also  [[Reproducible Research | reproducible]].
=== Data security ===
[[Data Security|Data security]] is another important aspect of responsible research. The [[Impact Evaluation Team|research team]] must ensure that members of the '''research team''' who are not listed by the [[IRB Approval|IRB]] can not access any confidential data. Data can be confidential for multiple reasons, but the most common reason is that it contains [[Personally Identifiable Information (PII)|personally identifiable information (PII)]]. Other reasons include that the data was shared under a data usage license that requires the data to be kept confidential.
 
The most important aspect of '''data security''' is [[Encryption|encryption]]. [https://www.worldbank.org/en/research/dime/data-and-analytics DIME Analytics] has drafted the [https://github.com/worldbank/dime-standards/blob/master/dime-research-standards/pillar-4-data-security/dime-data-security-guidelines.md DIME Data Security Policy], which lists guidelines for ensuring '''data security''' during research.
 
=== Data publication ===
[[Publishing Data|Data publication]] is the release of data and [[Data Documentation|data documentation]] following [[Primary Data Collection | data collection]] and [[Data Analysis | analysis]]. It also involves [[De-identification|de-identifying]] sensitive, or [[Personally Identifiable Information (PII)|personal information]] before publication, and ensures that research is both ethical, as well as [[Reproducible Research|reproducible]]. While '''de-identifying''', the [[Impact Evaluation Team|research team]] must store an [[Encryption|encrypted]] version of the original raw data which includes '''personal identifiers''' like names, addresses, location, etc.
 
It is also important to keep in mind the risks associated with '''data publication''', such as concerns about '''right to privacy''' of '''human subjects'''. [https://www.worldbank.org/en/research/dime/data-and-analytics DIME Analytics] has drafted the [https://github.com/worldbank/dime-standards/tree/master/dime-research-standards/pillar-5-data-publication DIME Data Publication Standards], which lists guidelines for '''data publication'''. Finally, the research team must also think about [[Data Ownership|data ownership]] through a set of clear rules for use of research data.


== Related Pages ==
== Related Pages ==
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== Additional Resources ==
== Additional Resources ==
* DIME Analytics (World Bank), [https://osf.io/6fcvk Research Ethics]
* DIME Analytics (World Bank), [https://osf.io/7yhjm Handling Personal Data Safely]
* Berkeley Initiative for Transparency in the Social Sciences (BITSS), [https://www.bitss.org/research-transparency-mooc/pre-registration-and-pre-analysis-plans/ Pre-Registration and Pre-Analysis Plans]
* Berk Özler (World Bank), [http://blogs.worldbank.org/impactevaluations/taking-ethics-seriously-response-1 Taking ethics seriously: Response #1]
* Berk Özler (World Bank), [http://blogs.worldbank.org/impactevaluations/taking-ethics-seriously-response-1 Taking ethics seriously: Response #1]
* Berk Özler (World Bank), [https://blogs.worldbank.org/impactevaluations/research-adolescents-issues-surrounding-consent Research with adolescents: issues surrounding consent]
* Berk Özler (World Bank), [https://blogs.worldbank.org/impactevaluations/research-adolescents-issues-surrounding-consent Research with adolescents: issues surrounding consent]
* David Evans (Center for Global Development), [https://www.cgdev.org/blog/practical-suggestions-more-ethical-social-science-rcts Practical Suggestions for More Ethical Social Science RCTs]
* David McKenzie (World Bank), [https://blogs.worldbank.org/impactevaluations/a-pre-analysis-plan-checklist A pre-analysis plan checklist]
* David McKenzie (World Bank), [https://blogs.worldbank.org/impactevaluations/a-pre-analysis-plan-checklist A pre-analysis plan checklist]
* DIME Analytics (World Bank), [https://github.com/worldbank/DIME-Resources/blob/master/survey-ethics.pdf Research Ethics & Data Security]
* Emma Cohn and Douglas MacKay, [https://dmackay.web.unc.edu/ethics-of-field-experiments-a-bibliography/ Ethics of Field Experiments: A Bibliography]
* Martin Ravallion (World Bank), [https://blogs.worldbank.org/impactevaluations/taking-ethical-validity-seriously Taking ethical validity seriously]  
* Martin Ravallion (World Bank), [https://blogs.worldbank.org/impactevaluations/taking-ethical-validity-seriously Taking ethical validity seriously]  
* J-PAL, [https://www.povertyactionlab.org/ethics Ethics]
* J-PAL, [https://www.povertyactionlab.org/ethics Ethics]
* J-PAL, [https://www.povertyactionlab.org/resource/ethical-conduct-randomized-evaluations Ethical conduct of randomized evaluations]
* Laterite, [https://www.laterite.com/blog/ethics-approvals-and-research-permits-in-east-africa/ Ethics approvals and research permits in East Africa]
[[Category: Reproducible Research]]

Latest revision as of 20:22, 16 August 2023

Impact evaluation teams (or research teams) often work with, or have access to, datasets that contain sensitive or personal identifiable information (PII) on individuals. They can either have direct access (for instance, through a field survey), or indirect access to this data (for instance, in the form of call data records (CDR)). In both cases, it is important to ensure that research teams act ethically. Broadly, ethical research means that research teams must obtain necessary approvals, protect human subjects, obtain informed consent, and ensure confidentiality. This also means that the research team should clearly think about, and be transparent about ownership of the data they use. Research ethics ensure that that steps taken to reach the outcomes of a study are just as important as the outcomes themselves, and help improve the validity of results of a study. Note that Research Ethics and data security go hand-in-hand.

Read First

Protecting Human Subjects

Members of the research team must ensure that they protect human research subjects and their rights, including the right to privacy. In this context, all living individuals whose sensitive or personally identifiable information (PII) is contained in the datasets being used in the study are considered human subjects. Therefore, ethical research requires that all members of the research team who handle personally identifiable information (PII) must have up-to-date human research subjects certification. Two organizations that offer courses to certify research team members are:

Note: It does not matter whether the research team has direct, or indirect access to the data. If the dataset being used in the study contains personally identifiable information (PII) about individuals, then research team must protect the right to privacy of every such individual. Right to privacy includes ensuring confidentiality, privacy, and anonymity of study participants.

Ethics Approvals

Institutional review boards (IRBs) are organizations that review and monitor research studies to protect the rights of human subjects. The research team must obtain IRB approvals for studies that use personally identifiable information. This is a powerful tool to promote ethical research because IRBs can deny research teams the right to use data if they do not follow proper guidelines while handling the data.

Note: Keep the following points in mind with respect to ethics approvals:

  • It does not matter whether the research team collected the data directly, or indirectly. For example, consider a study that uses mobile phone location data to assess effectiveness of stay-at-home orders during COVID-19. In this case, the research team does not directly collect this data, but gets access to it through the telecom service provider. However, since this dataset contains sensitive information like names, phone numbers, and location of individuals, the research team must obtain an IRB approval.
  • In addition to IRB approvals, the research team should also obtain approvals from local institutions in the location of the study. This will ensure that the study complies with local regulations, and does not violate any laws in that area, particular with respect to the right to privacy.

Informed Consent

Before collecting personal data from any individual involved in a research study, the research team must obtain informed consent from each individual. This means that the research team must clearly mention all possible risks and benefits from participating in a study, either for the survey pilot or as a respondent in the actual survey. This is done through an informed consent module conducted at the start of a survey interview.

Note: Keep the following points in mind regarding informed consent:

  • The human subjects must be able to refuse participation in a study at any point during the study.
  • The mechanism of informed consent applies only to cases where the research team itself is collecting data, such as through a field survey, because in such cases the research team is directly interacting with the participants.
  • However, in some cases, there is no opportunity for the research team to obtain informed consent. For example, consider cases where the research team only has indirect access to data, such as through call data records (CDR), or administrative data. This does not mean that the right to privacy of individuals is not important in such a scenario. It simply means that the research team must use other mechanisms, such as ensuring confidentiality of sensitive information, which is discussed in the next section.

Confidentiality

The research team must also ensure complete anonymity and confidentiality. This means that the identity of study participants should remain hidden, and sensitive information of individuals should never be shared with anyone outside the research team. Research team members should be held personally liable for any actions that result in disclosure of sensitive and personal data.

Note: Keep the following points in mind regarding confidentiality and anonymity of study participants:

  • All direct identifiers must be removed from working data sets as early in the research process as possible. This process is called de-identification.
  • At the time of de-identifying data, the research team must store an encrypted version of the original raw data which still contains the personal identifiers.
  • Only those members of the research team who are listed by the institutional review board (IRB) should have access to the encrypted versions of confidential information.
  • All research assistants (RAs), field coordinators (FCs), and other consultants or interns affiliated with the research team must sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). These agreements should clearly state that they will not share any sensitive information with anyone outside the research team. For example, the DIME NDA is an example of such an agreement.

Other Aspects of Ethical Research

Transparency

One of the most common concerns in research is the possibility of research teams manipulating the results of a study before publishing it in a journal. This is called publication bias, and can waste precious time and money. In order to make results of a study more transparent, the research team can pre-register their study with a registry. Some of the common registries are:

However, while ensuring transparency, research teams must not forget concerns about privacy of participants. Therefore, the research team must make sure that they do not disclose or publish personally identifiable information (PII) or confidential data, and should encrypt all such data as soon as they receive it from the field teams, or an external organisation.

Reproducibility

Reproducible research is the system of documenting and publishing results of an impact evaluation. At the very least, reproducibility allows other researchers to analyze the same data to get the same results as the original study, which strengthens the conclusions of the original study. It is important to push researchers towards publishing reproducible research because the path to research findings is just as important as the findings themselves.

DIME Analytics has also drafted the DIME Research Reproducibility Standards, which lists guidelines for ensuring reproducibility of research.

Data security

Data security is another important aspect of responsible research. The research team must ensure that members of the research team who are not listed by the IRB can not access any confidential data. Data can be confidential for multiple reasons, but the most common reason is that it contains personally identifiable information (PII). Other reasons include that the data was shared under a data usage license that requires the data to be kept confidential.

The most important aspect of data security is encryption. DIME Analytics has drafted the DIME Data Security Policy, which lists guidelines for ensuring data security during research.

Data publication

Data publication is the release of data and data documentation following data collection and analysis. It also involves de-identifying sensitive, or personal information before publication, and ensures that research is both ethical, as well as reproducible. While de-identifying, the research team must store an encrypted version of the original raw data which includes personal identifiers like names, addresses, location, etc.

It is also important to keep in mind the risks associated with data publication, such as concerns about right to privacy of human subjects. DIME Analytics has drafted the DIME Data Publication Standards, which lists guidelines for data publication. Finally, the research team must also think about data ownership through a set of clear rules for use of research data.

Related Pages

Click here for pages that link to this topic.

Additional Resources

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