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Step Five: Research and Data Analysis
General research rules
You should always keep in mind that the ultimate responsibility for the proper conduct of research rests in the honesty, good faith, and integrity of each investigator. A few of the general guidelines governing research ethics are summarized below.
You should not represent yourself to the public as "doing research for Harvard University" or "for the Department of Psychology" unless your research is, in fact, part of an official University or Department project. It is, however, proper to represent yourself as "doing research" for your thesis "at Harvard."
You and your supervisor should be properly concerned about procedures which might affect the health, safety, and privacy of any subject. You should be particularly conservative about any procedures which might be considered an invasion of personal privacy or an infringement upon good taste or legality. Finally, in obtaining the consent of a subject, no deception should be used in gaining his or her confidence and cooperation. (More detailed information on human subjects follows in the section The Use of Humans in Research.)
If you have any questions about these matters, you should consult your supervisor promptly. If your supervisor is in doubt about a particular ethical problem associated with your research, you should consult Dean Gallant (Science Center 123, 495-2628, or drg at fas), or Jane Calhoun (Science Center 123, 495-5459, jcalhoun at fas).
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