Discussion Guide: Research Ethics Reimagined Episode 5 “Research Ethics Across Domains With Nicholas Proferes, PhD, Sarah Gilbert, PhD, and Kyle Pitt

In this episode of PRIM&R's podcast, "Research Ethics Reimagined," we explore the intersection of research ethics, online communities, and emerging technologies, with a focus on Reddit. Our guests are Nicholas Proferes , Phd, who is an associate professor at Arizona State University; Sarah Gilbert , Phd, who is a research associate at Cornell University; and Kyle Pittman , MPA, who is moderator of the subreddit "Indian Country" and faculty member at Evergreen State College. The transcript for this episode can be found here.

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Discussion Questions

1.) Community-Led Ethics Frameworks

• Pittman describes the research approval process implemented in the "Indian Country" subreddit. How does this grassroots approach to research ethics compare to traditional IRB processes? What are its strengths and potential limitations?
• Gilbert mentions some Reddit communities have implemented similar approval processes, particularly those representing marginalized identities. How might these community-led approaches to research ethics influence the broader landscape of online research?

2.) Balancing Research Needs and Community Protection

• The guests discuss the challenges of conducting research on sensitive topics or in communities that may be vulnerable to exploitation. How can researchers balance the need for important scientific knowledge with the protection of community members' privacy and well-being?
• Proferes mentions that only 25% of the Reddit studies they reviewed discussed ethics in any capacity. What steps can be taken to encourage more widespread consideration and discussion of ethics in online research?

3.) The Future of Online Research Ethics

• Reddit is developing a platform called "Reddit for Researchers." How might this type of structured research access impact the ethical considerations of studying online communities?
• The guests express hope for more holistic ethics education across disciplines and increased transparency with research subjects. What specific changes in research practices or education would you like to see implemented to address these goals?

Key Terms and Acronyms

Subreddit: A specific community or forum within the Reddit website, usually dedicated to a particular topic or interest.

API (Application Programming Interface): A set of protocols and tools for building software applications, often used by researchers to access and collect data from online platforms.

IRB (Institutional Review Board): A committee that reviews and monitors research involving human participants to ensure ethical conduct.

Belmont Report: A foundational document in research ethics that outlines three core principles: respect for persons, beneficence, and justice.

Additional Resources

• Studying Reddit: A Systematic Overview of Disciplines, Approaches, Methods, and Ethics - This article offers a systematic analysis of 727 manuscripts that used Reddit as a data source, published between 2010 and 2020.
• Reddit for Researchers - Information about Reddit's developing platform for academic researchers.
• Association of Internet Researchers Ethics Guidelines - Guidelines for ethical decision-making in internet research.
• PRIM&R's Research Ethics Timeline - A resource for exploring the milestones of research ethics, including developments in digital and online research.
• Indigenous Data Sovereignty Network - Information on principles for ethical use of indigenous peoples' data.