Ethics of Online MT Research
As the nature of research moves toward online resources and methods, music therapists must take time to explore the ethics of online research. Our colleague Nicki Cohen, a member of the AMTA Research Committee, takes time in this AMTA-Pro podcast to share insights and considerations related to ethics and music therapy research. Using specific examples, Nicki discusses basic ethical principles, a brief history of unethical landmark research which resulted in legislation, and the advantages and disadvantages of online research methods. She overviews types of online research methods as well as viable software options for online interview and online surveys. As Nicki says in the podcast, ethics in online music therapy research is simply a matter of “being honest and respectful to the participants and being honest and respectful when reporting the results of your research.” This AMTA-Pro podcast provides practical guidelines for doing just that.
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Ethics of Online Music Therapy Research
AMTA-Pro Podcast March, 2018
Nicki Cohen, Ph.D., MT-BC
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Podcast Discussion Outline
> Ethical Principles: autonomy, justice, beneficence, maleficence
> History of Legislation Related to Ethics in Research
- Unethical landmark research: Nazi Ravensbrück; Jewish Chronic Disease Hospital; Tuskegee, AL; Milgram Study
- Ethics in research legislation: Nuremberg Code, 1949; Belmont Report, 1979
> Fundamentals of Ethics in Research
- Informed consent: voluntariness, information, capacity
- Deception: passive and active
- Confidentiality: storage of digital data
- Institutional Review Board (IRB)
- Error and fraud in research
> Online Research Methods (ORM)
- Advantages
- Disadvantages
- Online surveys
- Online interviews
> Interactive Research Application Review
References
Cavanagh, A. (1999, August 6). Behavior in public?: Ethics in online ethnography. Cybersociology, Issue 6. Retrieved from http://www.cybersociology.com/fifiles/6_2_ethicsinonlineethnog.html
Ess, C., & AoIR Ethics Working Committee. (Approved by AoIR, November 27, 2002). Ethical decision-making and internet research: Recommendations from the AoIR ethics working committee. Retrieved from http://www.aoir.org/reports/ethics.pdf
Eysenbach, G., & James E. T. (2001). Ethical issues in qualitative research on internet communities. BMJ, 323. Doi: 10.1136/bmj.323.7321.1103
Online Interview Software Options
Adobe ConnectNow http://www.adobe.com/acom/connectnow/
TinyChat http://tinychat.com/
GoogleTalk http://www.google.co.uk/talk/
Online Survey Software Options
Google Forms http://docs.google.com
Lime Survey http://www.limesurvey.org
PsychData https://www.psychdata.com
SurveyMonkey http://www.surveymonkey.com
Snap http://www.snapsurveys.com
VLE (A VLE, or learning platform, is an online system that allows teachers to share educational materials with their pupils via the web. Examples include Moodle, WebCT and Blackboard.)
Bespoke systems (software that is specially developed for some specific organization or other user. Bespoke software development is often expensive compared to off-the-shelf solutions or products.)
About the Speaker
Dr. Nicki S. Cohen is Professor of Music Therapy and Chairperson of the Institutional Review Board at Texas Woman’s University. She received her PhD in Music Education from the University of Kansas. Cohen is a board certified music therapist and a Fellow and Trainer for the Association for Music and Imagery. She has published in music therapy and related journals, most specifically about the applications of singing instruction for patients with neurogenic communication disorders and the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music. She also has published numerous chapters in music therapy textbooks. Her book, entitled Advanced Methods in Music Therapy Practice, was published in 2017 by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Cohen is a regular presenter at professional conferences. She is a member of the AMTA Research Committee.