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.
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Anonymity: Names should not be connected with data, and participants names should not be published in the final report.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
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.