Engaging research participants to inform the ethical conduct of mobile imaging, pervasive sensing, and location tracking research

• DOI: 10.1007/s13142-016-0426-4
• Publication Date: 2016-09-29T16:14:18Z
• Authors: Camille Nebeker; Tiffany Lagare; Michelle Takemoto; Brittany Lewars; Katie Crist; Cinnamon S. Bloss; Jacqueline Kerr
• Keywords: Institutional review board; Research Ethics; Wearable Technology; Tracking (education)

Researchers utilize mobile imaging, pervasive sensing, social media, and location tracking (MISST) technologies to observe intervene with participants in their natural environment. The use of MISST methods tools introduces unique ethical issues due the type quantity data, produces raising new challenges around informed consent, risk assessment, data management. Since are relatively behavioral research, there is little documented evidence guide institutional review board (IRB) assessment inform appropriate management strategies. This study was conducted contribute participant perspectives when considering responsible practices. Participants (n = 82) enrolled an observational where they wore several devices for 1 week completed exit survey. Survey items focused on following: 1-device comfort, 2-informed 3-privacy protections, 4-bystander engagement. consent process reflected actual experience. Device comfort privacy were raised as concerns both bystanders. While majority reported a positive experience, it important note that volunteers who not mandated wear persons may have similar response. Findings support strategies proposed Kelly et al. (2013) framework, which emphasizes procedures improve protect privacy, manage respect bystander rights using wearable camera.