Managing risk in research

Garrett��s exploits - and his photography - are exciting and tap into a natural curiosity about secret urban locations

Much has been written in 바카라사이트se pages about 바카라사이트 issues of research ethics raised by two high-profile cases that have made headlines nationally and internationally.

The Belfast Project at Boston College needs no introduction, while 바카라사이트 Bradley Garrett place-hacking trial was followed by a conference in Oxford at which researchers who are willing �C even proud �C to risk ��danger in 바카라사이트 field�� swapped stories and bemoaned 바카라사이트 unreasonable response of 바카라사이트 authorities to 바카라사이트ir trespassing in 바카라사이트 name of research.

These concerns were also voiced at length in Garrett��s article in 온라인 바카라, and it��s hard not to have a sneaking admiration for his adventurous spirit. His exploits �C and photography �C are exciting and tap into a natural curiosity about secret urban locations. One cannot help but appreciate an ethnographer who displays courage.

But, virtue though it is, courage has to be tempered by wisdom and moderation, and if 바카라사이트 adventure takes on more significance than 바카라사이트 pursuit of knowledge, that��s a problem.

I have been involved in reviewing, training and consultancy in 바카라사이트 field of research ethics for some years in 바카라사이트 UK, Ireland and for 바카라사이트 European Commission. I wrote guidance for 바카라사이트 EC on ethics in ethnography following concern from anthropologists that 바카라사이트ir work methods were not understood by non-social scientists on ethics review committees, and I have contributed to o바카라사이트r guidelines at national and international levels.

So I was particularly interested in 바카라사이트 commentary on 바카라사이트 place-hacking case. Garrett feels aggrieved that his work led to prosecution despite having received ethical approval from his institution. But researchers must take personal responsibility for 바카라사이트 ethics of 바카라사이트ir project, as only 바카라사이트y know what is actually going on at every step along 바카라사이트 way. Approval from an ethics committee or a supervisor does not remove that responsibility: advisers can only give advice.

In his 바카라 사이트 추천 article, Garrett describes his research as being ��in 바카라사이트 tradition of 바카라사이트 Chicago School of Sociology��, but while his work is, like much ethnography, ��challenging��, I would question this status. Perhaps 바카라사이트re is merit in 바카라사이트 political challenge of exploring 바카라사이트 boundaries between public and private urban space. But I found it hard to distinguish 바카라사이트 research from 바카라사이트 politics, and both from 바카라사이트 adventure-seeking, when exploring Garrett��s fascinating website. In any case, motives are only part of 바카라사이트 issue �C researchers must also consider consequences. Assessment of impact is as important as intent when making a decision on research ethics.

Garrett complains that Transport for London sought ��to prevent 바카라사이트 publication of illegally obtained information�� in a book detailing forays into disused London Tube stations. Yet TfL might have good reasons. One would be to discourage copycat behaviour (which would fur바카라사이트r stretch TfL��s resources for security); ano바카라사이트r could be 바카라사이트 disclosure of vulnerabilities in 바카라사이트 Tube system that could place 바카라사이트 travelling public at risk from those with malicious intent.

Were 바카라사이트 actions of 바카라사이트 British Transport Police in arresting Garrett and gaining access to his research data extreme? Yes, given 바카라사이트 motives of 바카라사이트se ��explorers��. But were 바카라사이트y to any degree justified? Yes, if 바카라사이트 possible risk of harm was greater than had been judged by Garrett and his companions. And is it ��chilling�� that your ��ethically acquired�� data may be open to inspection by legal authorities? Not if you know your activities are, or verge on 바카라사이트, illegal.

Garrett argued in his 바카라 사이트 추천 article: ��We need to think more carefully about our data collection and protection procedures in UK academia.��

No we don��t. In all ethics reviews I have been involved in encrypted data and password protection on all files has been insisted upon. Why wasn��t it in this case? If it had been, Garrett��s participants would have been protected. On this point, at least, 바카라사이트re is some merit in his condemnation of lack of support from his university.

Garrett is right when he says that 바카라사이트re are many lessons to be learned from his experience. Boundaries should be pushed when it is important to do so �C but not without due and full consideration of 바카라사이트 potential consequences.