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Li’s research explores how doxing functions within social movements and citizenship, the key ethics considerations is that the research involves high risks data and sensitive participants, such as privacy breaches, participant distress. The ethical focus is that protect privacy, prevent harm, and ensure researcher safety

JIAGE ZENG

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Issues with ethics and consent:

A significant ethical issue in Cale et al. (2018)'s study is the use of prisoner data without informed consent. Although the dataset was de-identified and approved by an ethics committee, prisoners are a highly vulnerable group whose autonomy is constrained by their incarceration. As Banks (2019) notes, power imbalances can compromise the voluntariness and understanding required for genuine consent.

The study also linked sensitive information such as Aboriginal/Torres-Strait islander status and levels of recidivism and risk, raising the risk of re-identification even when data is anonymised, as seen in the “Tastes, Ties and Time” case referenced in Banks (2019).

Ethical solutions?

Cale could strengthen ethical practice by clearly explaining how administrative data will be used, implementing culturally safe protocols, and offering an opt-out option. These steps would better respect participants’ autonomy and align the study with ethical principles of informed consent and confidentiality.

Timothy Beshay

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HARRY CARROLL:

Something that Higgins really emphasised in conducting ethical research is the positionality of the researcher in relation to the research they conduct: who they are, why they want to research a topic, why they are a good fit to conduct said research. It was further emphasised in her analysis of decolonial research not as an initiative to be viewed as something of a checklist, but moreso as an active undertaking of recognising who the knowledge-holders and experts are in the area of research aside from the researcher. This is especially relevant when conducting decolonial research with Indigenous communities whom are often othered and over-researched instead of being centralised to the conduct of research; there should be no 'us and them' mentality or tone. Furthermore, Higgins underlined the importance of keeping oppressed individuals at the foreground of research which concerns them, as the erasure and sidelining of these voices has a recolonisation effect.

Thus, when conducting decolonial research, it is essential to review one's own positionality and intersectionality within the topic. Moreover, the prioritisation of active decolonial mindsets is an imperative to the ethics of research.

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A key ethical issue in Cales’s research involves using prisoner data and interviewing ex-prisoners, a highly vulnerable group whose autonomy may be limited by past incarceration. Ensuring informed consent, cultural safety, and confidentiality is essential.

This study could be considered medium-to-high risk because participants might recall distressing or traumatic experiences. Researchers should clearly explain how data will be used, guarantee voluntary participation, and de-identify all responses.

Ethical practice can be strengthened by providing an opt-out option, using culturally sensitive protocols ,especially for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander participants, and preparing counseling referrals for emotional distress.

These steps align the study with core principles of respect, consent, and participant wellbeing.

Wenqian Zhang

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Zihan Yang(Q1 and Q2) and Kehan Cui(Q3 and Q4)

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Zihan Yang(Q1 and Q2) and Kehan Cui(Q3 and Q4)

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Q1 — Ethics summary

This case is about doxing during protests, where people’s personal details can be shared and used like a weapon. The main ethics issues are privacy, the chance of re-identification, possible harm to participants and their families, and safety risks for the researcher.

Q2 — Risk level, researcher risks, and how to reduce risk

Risk level: High risk and needs full ethics review.

Reason: The topic is politically sensitive and online posts can reveal who people are.

Risks to the researcher:

Online abuse or doxing

Hacking of devices or accounts

Legal or police attention in some places

How to reduce risk :

Collect the least data needed; no names, faces, or usernames

De-identify notes and recordings; store files securely with encryption and limited access

Prefer online/remote methods; avoid high-risk sites; get legal/ethics advice before travel

Use strong digital security (2FA, separate devices) and have a simple incident plan

Q3 — Participant Information Sheet

Project title: Data, Doxing and Protest

Who runs it: A researcher from the School of Social Sciences, UNSW.

Purpose: To learn how doxing linked to the 2019–20 protests affected people’s safety, feelings, and daily life.

What will you do? A 30–45 minute online or phone interview. You can skip any question. Please do not share names, addresses, workplaces, or anything that can identify anyone.

Risks: Talking about protest or doxing may feel stressful. If identities were revealed, there could be reputational or legal problems. We lower this risk by not collecting identifying details.

Benefits: No direct benefit to you. Your views may help the public and policy makers understand data harms.

Privacy and security: With your permission we will audio-record, then remove identifiers and store data safely at UNSW. Reports will only use anonymous quotes.

Voluntary: Your choice to join. You can stop anytime. You may withdraw up to two weeks after the interview and we will delete your data.

Contacts: Researcher email (UNSW) for questions; UNSW Human Research Ethics contact for concerns.

Who can join? Adults (18+). Please avoid sharing any identifying information.

Q4 — Free support services (if someone feels distressed)

Pick the one that fits the person’s location:

Australia: Lifeline (24/7 crisis support); Beyond Blue (mental-health counselling and webchat).

Hong Kong: The Samaritans (Hong Kong) (confidential emotional support); Caritas Family Crisis Support Centre (24-hour crisis help and referrals).

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Yang Ming Sim, Natalie Wong, Audree Impey, Paul Gallgher, Lucy Nguyen, Chellecee Crockett

•A 1-2 sentence summary of key ethics considerations for this case study and then post this onto the padlet

Higgins is a human rights researcher, her studies focusing on asylum seekers which poses the ethical considerations while speaking with the asylum seekers to take care to not offend or belittle their experiences.

•Would this case study would likely have a minimum or ‘low risk’ ethics application or is research with this group high risk? Does working in research this way pose any risks to the researcher? What might these risks be and how would you mitigate these? Post a short summary to the padlet

This case study would have a high risk of ethics applications as handling such sensitive experiences like seeking asylum and the trauma that may come from that, they should be handled with a certain amount of care. Higgins may also be at risk if she offends the people in her research group accidently however, to avoid this, if she handles the work with a certain ethical care, this risk is minimal.

•Consider if you were to interview the population being researched in your case study:

•Write a short information sheet (see pages 92–93 in the reading) in plain English that outlines what the research is about, what their role in the research will be, and any risks or benefits to the research (for Cale and Li assume that there is follow-up research that is conducted by interviewing ex-prisoners and protesters or policemen respectively. Post this to the padlet

What is the research about?

The aim of this study is to understand human rights through a disadvantaged perspective. Taking a qualitative approach to scope the idea on how the oppressed and minorities see their human rights and how that should impact the approach social workers and others in that field should apply this knowledge into their work.

What’s the role of the people in the research?

Gaining an understanding on where those whose human rights have been stripped away, seeing what they believe should be implemented or changed to stop the cycle of disadvantaged groups not getting the help they need. Through Higgins’ focus group of asylum seekers, researching their understanding of what human rights are and seeing where the gaps in their understanding are.

Any risks or benefits of the research?

The benefits of this research is that social and human rights workers can see the gaps in understanding for minority groups so they can change and scope their work to fill in these gaps. This teaching of human rights will allow for the disadvantaged to not be exploited or in a situation of their human rights being breached without being fully aware of the issues. Hopefully preventing further human rights breaches and exploitations.

Identify at least 2 free support services you could refer research subjects to if they became distressed in the course of an interview with them (post to the padlet)

The Immigration Advice and Rights Centre (IARC) and Refugee Advice and Casework Service (RACS)

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Olivia Ottawa

Summary

This case study explores individual experiences and perceptions of dowry abuse. A key ethical consideration in Singh's research was ensuring the safety of participants, most of whom were victim-survivors of violence and abuse. Given the societal shame and stigma surrounding dowry abuse, Singh mentions that it was crucial for the study to provide participants with a safe environment for the interview process. To give participants autonomy within the interview process, they were given the choice as to whether the interview was held online or face-to-face.

Risk level

This study would be considered a high risk of of ethics application as participants may experience re-traumatisation or emotional distress when discussing sensitive topics. To reduce the risk, researchers must remain alert and empathetic to any signs of distress and be able to adapt the research and/or interview process to support the participants wellbeing. As the study could incur judgement due to social stigma, confidentiality and anonymising the participants data would lower the risk of their safety.

Information sheet

What is the research about?

This study uses qualitative research to form a deeper understanding of the cultural, social and emotional impacts of dowry abuse, focusing on the experiences of individuals within Indian communities and the cultural contexts in which such violence occurs.

What is their role in the research?

Their role would be to share thoughts, perspectives, and experiences about dowry abuse. By being a part of the study, they would help the researchers gain insight into the challenges and personal impacts of related violence.

Are there any risks or benefits to the research?

Potential risks of participating in this study could include emotional distress and reliving past trauma. There is also a risk that, if a participant's identity is not anonymous, perpetrators may become aware of their involvement in the study, which could lead to potential harm, such as intimidation. Some benefits of engaging with this study is that the research creates more awareness of dowry abuse that can help victim-survivors in the future.

2 Free support services

1800respect is a 24-hour national helpline for domestic, family, or sexual violence. The Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health (MCWH) is a culturally sensitive support network. Both would be suitable support services for if a participant is feeling emotionally distressed.

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Ethics summary

Maree Higgins identified two key ethical considerations when conducting a human rights research. The first consideration is when interviewing a participant or participants, it is important to not sound as if you are lecturing them. What she meant by that was that the conception of human rights in western and non-western worlds can differ between each other, and it is really important to acknowledge that people, coming from non-western backgrounds, have different perception of human rights, and it is important to validate their experiences. The second ethical consideration is the question of privacy. For instance, when publishing an academic work related to the research results, gathered from participants, it is important to also acknowledge their participation, but most of the times it is hard to just include names of the participants, as most of them are afraid for their safety and safety of their families. Another ethical consideration Higgins pointed out was that when conducting a research related to human rights topics, such topics can trigger participants and cause distress. Therefore it is essential to always address difficult questions carefully, and be prepared to help participants if they feel uncomfortable during the interview.

Risk level

I believe that any research covering specific human rights issue will possess "high risk" ethics application. Participants not only can be triggered by certain questions or when talking about their experience, but also their safety can be under the threat. For example when interviewing refugees, or communities in countries that are repressive towards them. I also think that a researcher can be under the risk if they are willing to conduct their research directly in the country that has a specific human rights issue the researcher wants to cover. To mitigate this, if I had to research, for example, on conditions of women in Afghanistan, I would just take someone who has an experience of living in this country, so I could be more careful with my works and actions.

Research outline

This research is about understanding the concept of human rights from diverse perspectives. For a very long time the concept of human rights has been predominantly westernized, meaning that western ideas of human rights and how they should look like were considered universal in social sciences, politics, etc. But conducting researches with vulnerable groups coming from different non-western backgrounds, gives us more insights on how different communities see human rights differently, which helps us to create more inclusive policies and institutions which could help these vulnerable groups to integrate safely. It can also help us more ideas on how to to solve these human rights issues.

Potential support services

Depends on the group I would interview, for example if they were refugees, I would probably allocate them to IARC or RACS. For a particular group, for example female refugees and those who identify with LGBTQAI+ I would offer IWSS (Immigrant Women's Support Services) and STARTTS.

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Digital activism and behaviors such as "human flesh search" have blurred the boundaries of privacy protection between participants and passive participants. The core ethical issues include: informed consent, data security, participant safety, and the bottom line we should maintain in the face of the decline of authoritative politics.

I believe that this research is a high-risk ethical application because both the participants and the researchers are at risk of having their political, legal and personal rights infringed upon. Citizens participating in the event are bound to make inaccurate statements and be monitored and punished by authorities or others. Their own families may also be treated unfairly as a result, and at the same time, researchers may face questioning and malice. Countermeasures: Use encrypted communication tools, emphasize the anonymization of data and personnel information, and ensure that participating citizens are voluntary and not subject to pressure or coercion.

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Elna Sojan

Summary

Sara Singh's study explores the personal experiences of dowry abuse, particularly among indian women in Australia. An important ethical aspect of Singh's research was prioritising the well-being and safety of the participants, many of whom had endured violence and mistreatment. Singh, understanding the vulnerability of these women and their experiences, was committed to creating a safe space for them to share their stories, aiming to inspire other women to speak out about these issues.

Ethical Considerations

In this study, Singh emphasises several critical ethical considerations. One key aspect is the need for flexibility and adaptability in research practices, as well as fostering trust between researchers and participants. Prioritising the safety of participants is paramount; therefore, stringent eligibility criteria are established to exclude individuals who have experienced extreme stress from the study.

Moreover, creating a safe environment for participants to share their personal stories is essential, as it allows them to voice their experiences for the benefit of others. Participants are also given some control over how their interviews are conducted, whether face-to-face or online, which helps ensure they feel comfortable and respected throughout the process.

Ethical Solutions

Something the researcher could have done is ensure the anonymity of all the victim individuals who come forward. This would have encouraged more people to share their experiences without fear of repercussions or judgment. By protecting their identities, the researcher could foster a safer environment for open dialogue, ultimately leading to more comprehensive and accurate data. Additionally, maintaining confidentiality would demonstrate respect for the victims and their stories, which is crucial in sensitive research contexts.

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Ethical dilemmas within context:

As mentioned by other students, Jesse Cale's study presented an ethical dilemma in the use of prisoners' information without their informed consent. Another key ethical issue is how researchers use sensitive information responsibly. Regardless of whether the data is approved and remains anonymous, there are still risks if the results are misunderstood or manipulated in ways that reinforce stereotypes. This is especially when data involves Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander prisoners. Hence, researchers must ensure their findings are interpreted respectfully and consult with communities to establish cultural safety.

Additionally, explaining how the data will be utilised and to only collect what is necessary (data minimisation) is crucial. Using secure systems to store and share data can further improve and protect the prisoner's privacy. Thus, being transparent about these steps helps maintain the public trust and displays that ethical approval isn't simply a formality but also a continuous process of protecting participants' dignity and confidentiality.

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TIN DUC LE

Q1) Key ethical considerations include confidentiality of the victims and doxxers for legal/ethical reasons. Doxxing is also a sensitive topic that can reopen trauma so informed consent is needed to prevent harm.

Q2) Li's research is high risk. Working specifically with victims and perpetrators of doxxing is very controversial. Members of the research team may be accused of favouring a particular side and receive harassment from the public. This could include having information leaked or physically attacked in public. Therefore to avoid controversy researchers have to censor the interviewees vigorously. This includes the person’s name, face, voice and any information on why they were doxxed in the first place.

Q3)

The research is about the role of doxxing in political movements in the digital age. The role of the researchers should be to keep the confidentiality of the victims, always having consent to interview and conducting unbiased research. The risk of the research is public backlash to the portrayal of the victims or doxxers. The benefits of the research is to study how and why modern social media technology can be used as weapons on particular targets. To better prepare ways to rehabilitate victims and discourage doxxing behaviours.

Q4)

18111 https://www.shallwetalk.hk/en/get-help/emergency-helplines/ (Shall we talk?) -Hong Kong

852 3643 0869 https://www.mind.org.hk/resources/find-help-now/ (Mind.org) - Hong Kong

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TIN DUC LE

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Daisy Tran

In Maree Higgins’ human rights research on the asylum seeker centre, she was able to showcase her ethical considerings as a researcher. This ethical aspect was clearly highlighted through Higgin's research merit and integrity principle as she wanted to conduct this research to help the asylum seekers change their life and to help them understand what human rights they deserve.

However, when talking about how she conducted her research, she didn't mention any procedural ethics such as asking for consent and ensuring them that their answers will be confidential.

Secondly, considering that this is a high-risk research case due to the fact that it involves sensitive topics and vulnerable groups, it is essential for Higgins to address issues of informed consent, confidentiality, and protection from harm (Banks, 2019). Furthermore, as asylum seekers often face trauma, fear of authority, and unstable legal status, any form of participation could expose them to emotional distress or perceived risk.