10.5 Ethics in performance research

Performance studies research requires careful ethical consideration. Researchers must balance scientific inquiry with protecting participants' well-being and privacy. Key principles include obtaining informed consent, minimizing harm, and maintaining confidentiality.

Ethical challenges in this field include cross-cultural sensitivity, power dynamics between researchers and participants, and responsible data management. Institutional review boards play a crucial role in overseeing ethical compliance in performance studies research.

Ethical considerations in research

• Explores fundamental ethical principles guiding performance studies research
• Emphasizes the responsibility of researchers to protect participants and maintain integrity
• Highlights the balance between scientific inquiry and ethical obligations in performance-based research

Informed consent process

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• Requires researchers to obtain voluntary agreement from participants before involving them in studies
• Involves providing clear information about research purpose, procedures, risks, and benefits
• Ensures participants understand their right to withdraw at any time without consequences
• Addresses special considerations for vulnerable populations (children, cognitively impaired)

Protection of participants

• Prioritizes physical and psychological well-being of research subjects throughout the study
• Implements safeguards to minimize potential risks or discomfort during performances or experiments
• Establishes protocols for handling unexpected adverse events or participant distress
• Includes post-study debriefing and follow-up support when necessary

Confidentiality and anonymity

• Safeguards participants' personal information and identities from unauthorized access
• Utilizes coding systems or pseudonyms to protect individual identities in data and publications
• Addresses challenges of maintaining anonymity in performance-based research (video recordings)
• Establishes secure data storage and destruction procedures to protect participant privacy

Minimizing harm vs benefit

• Evaluates potential risks and benefits of research to ensure overall positive impact
• Considers both immediate and long-term consequences of participation in performance studies
• Implements strategies to mitigate potential negative effects on participants or communities
• Balances scientific value of research against potential harm to individuals or groups

Research design ethics

Sampling and recruitment

• Ensures fair and unbiased selection of participants for performance studies
• Addresses potential issues of coercion or undue influence in recruitment processes
• Considers representation and diversity in sample populations
• Implements strategies to avoid exploitation of vulnerable or marginalized groups

Data collection methods

• Evaluates ethical implications of various data gathering techniques in performance research
• Addresses concerns related to invasiveness or intrusiveness of certain methods (wearable sensors)
• Considers potential psychological impact of performance-based data collection on participants
• Ensures transparency and informed consent for all data collection procedures

Experimental vs observational studies

• Compares ethical considerations between manipulated and naturalistic research designs
• Addresses issues of deception and disclosure in experimental performance studies
• Evaluates potential for observer effects in observational research of performances
• Considers ethical implications of control groups and withholding interventions in experiments

Cultural sensitivity

Cross-cultural research challenges

• Addresses ethical considerations when studying performances across different cultural contexts
• Recognizes potential for misinterpretation or misrepresentation of cultural practices
• Implements strategies to mitigate researcher bias and ethnocentrism in cross-cultural studies
• Considers power dynamics between researchers and participants from different cultural backgrounds

Respecting diverse perspectives

• Incorporates multiple viewpoints and interpretations in performance analysis
• Engages with local communities and stakeholders in research design and implementation
• Acknowledges and values indigenous knowledge and performance traditions
• Avoids imposing Western or dominant cultural frameworks on diverse performance practices

Language and translation issues

• Addresses challenges of accurate translation of performance-related concepts across languages
• Implements strategies to ensure linguistic and conceptual equivalence in research instruments
• Considers use of bilingual researchers or translators in cross-linguistic performance studies
• Recognizes potential loss of meaning or nuance in translated performance data

Power dynamics in research

Researcher-participant relationship

• Examines inherent power imbalances between researchers and subjects in performance studies
• Implements strategies to minimize coercion and promote genuine voluntary participation
• Considers impact of researcher presence on performance behaviors and outcomes
• Addresses ethical concerns related to compensation and incentives for participation

Addressing potential biases

• Recognizes and mitigates researcher biases in study design, data collection, and analysis
• Implements strategies for reflexivity and self-awareness in performance research
• Considers impact of funding sources or institutional pressures on research objectivity
• Addresses potential conflicts of interest in performance studies research

Representation of marginalized groups

• Ensures ethical inclusion and accurate portrayal of underrepresented populations in research
• Implements participatory research methods to empower marginalized communities
• Addresses potential for exploitation or tokenism in studies of minority performances
• Considers long-term impact of research on marginalized groups and their cultural practices

Ethical data management

Storage and security

• Implements robust systems to protect sensitive performance data from unauthorized access
• Addresses unique challenges of securing audio-visual recordings of performances
• Establishes protocols for secure transfer and sharing of research data
• Considers ethical implications of cloud storage and third-party data management services

Sharing and dissemination

• Balances open science principles with protection of participant privacy and confidentiality
• Addresses ethical considerations in sharing performance recordings or sensitive cultural data
• Implements data sharing agreements and protocols for collaborative research projects
• Considers potential misuse or misinterpretation of shared performance data

Long-term data preservation

• Establishes protocols for ethical archiving of performance research data
• Addresses challenges of maintaining participant confidentiality in long-term data storage
• Considers cultural sensitivities and ownership issues in preserving indigenous performance data
• Implements strategies for responsible destruction of data when retention is no longer necessary

Institutional review boards

Purpose and function

• Oversees ethical conduct of research involving human subjects in performance studies
• Reviews and approves research proposals to ensure compliance with ethical standards
• Provides guidance and recommendations to researchers on ethical issues
• Monitors ongoing research projects for continued ethical compliance

Application process

• Outlines steps for submitting research proposals for ethical review in performance studies
• Addresses common requirements for IRB applications (research protocols, consent forms)
• Considers unique challenges of describing performance-based research to review boards
• Implements strategies for addressing potential ethical concerns in IRB proposals

Common ethical concerns

• Identifies frequently raised issues in performance studies research proposals
• Addresses concerns related to deception, covert observation, or sensitive topics
• Considers ethical implications of studying illegal or stigmatized performances
• Implements strategies for mitigating common ethical risks in performance research

Ethical dilemmas in performance studies

Deception in experiments

• Examines ethical implications of using deception in performance-based research
• Addresses challenges of maintaining research validity while ensuring ethical treatment
• Implements strategies for minimizing harm and debriefing participants after deceptive studies
• Considers alternative research designs that avoid or reduce need for deception

Covert observation techniques

• Evaluates ethical considerations of studying performances without participants' knowledge
• Addresses challenges of obtaining informed consent in naturalistic observation studies
• Implements strategies for protecting privacy and anonymity in covert research
• Considers ethical implications of using hidden cameras or recording devices in public spaces

Controversial performance topics

• Addresses ethical challenges of researching sensitive or taboo performance practices
• Implements strategies for minimizing harm to participants and researchers in high-risk studies
• Considers potential societal impact and backlash from studying controversial performances
• Balances academic freedom with ethical responsibility in choosing research topics

Professional ethics

Authorship and attribution

• Establishes guidelines for fair and accurate attribution of contributions in collaborative research
• Addresses challenges of crediting performers and cultural informants in performance studies
• Implements strategies for resolving authorship disputes in multi-researcher projects
• Considers ethical implications of using archival performance data in new research

Peer review responsibilities

• Outlines ethical obligations of reviewers in the peer review process for performance research
• Addresses issues of confidentiality and conflict of interest in manuscript evaluation
• Implements strategies for providing constructive and unbiased feedback on research
• Considers ethical implications of reviewing culturally sensitive or controversial performance studies

Conflicts of interest

• Identifies potential conflicts in performance research (funding sources, personal relationships)
• Implements strategies for disclosing and managing conflicts of interest in research and publication
• Addresses ethical considerations of dual roles (researcher and performer) in performance studies
• Considers impact of commercial interests or sponsorships on research integrity

Ethical implications of results

Interpretation of findings

• Addresses responsibility of researchers to accurately represent and contextualize results
• Implements strategies for avoiding overinterpretation or sensationalization of findings
• Considers potential for misuse or misinterpretation of performance research results
• Balances scientific objectivity with ethical obligation to protect vulnerable populations

Potential societal impact

• Evaluates broader implications of performance research findings on society and culture
• Addresses researcher responsibility for anticipating and mitigating negative societal consequences
• Implements strategies for responsible dissemination of potentially controversial results
• Considers long-term effects of performance studies on cultural practices and identities

Responsible reporting

• Outlines ethical guidelines for presenting research findings in academic and public contexts
• Addresses challenges of translating complex performance studies for general audiences
• Implements strategies for maintaining participant confidentiality in research publications
• Considers ethical implications of using visual or audio recordings in research presentations

Future ethical challenges

Emerging technologies in research

• Examines ethical implications of new tools and methods in performance studies (AI, VR)
• Addresses privacy concerns related to advanced biometric and neuroimaging technologies
• Implements strategies for ensuring ethical use of big data and machine learning in research
• Considers potential for technological innovations to exacerbate existing ethical issues

Globalization of performance studies

• Addresses ethical challenges of conducting research across international boundaries
• Implements strategies for navigating diverse ethical and legal frameworks in global research
• Considers impact of cultural imperialism and power imbalances in international collaborations
• Examines ethical implications of digital performances and virtual research environments

Evolving ethical standards

• Explores ongoing development and refinement of ethical guidelines in performance studies
• Addresses need for flexibility and adaptability in ethical frameworks to address new challenges
• Implements strategies for staying informed about changing ethical norms and regulations
• Considers role of researchers in shaping future ethical standards in performance studies field