Research Ethics
for designers
Be Caring
Be Knowledgeable
Be Principled
Research ethics is very important in this age of digital technology. The fact that we can collect, analyze and distribute information so easily means that we must do our best to ensure that no harm comes to the people we have gathered that information from.
Research ethics is important to you as a designer when doing your research (Criterion A), gathering feedback on the development of your ideas (Criterion B), and evaluation of your design (Criterion D).
Inclusion and respect
Designers following a user-centered or inclusive design approach will typically research the extreme users - those users who do not fit the definition of "normal" or "average." In some cases, these groups of users are visible minorities. It is essential, then, that our research does not further marginalize, harm, or cause discomfort to this group. As in cases of researching any group, respect and empathy are essential.
Ethical Considerations for Surveys and Research
Designers don't plan to intentionally cause harm. However, it is our responsibility to minimize the risk of harm. To minimize this risk, we should follow the principles of ethical research:
Informed consent: participants must willingly agree to participate in the study.
The right to withdrawal: Participants should have the right to withdraw or stop participation in a research study at any time.
Anonymity: Names should not be connected with data, and participants names should not be published in the final report.
Deception: your testing and user research should not deceive people or make them believe something false
Debriefing: You should share the results of your research with the participants
The information below goes into more detail about each principle and how to incorporate it in your design research.
In some cases, you might be collecting data on your family, friends, peers, or school community. It is essential to do this in a respectful manner and to follow any rules or policies that you school has about collecting, using, and storing data.
