Avoiding harm on human subjects in the course of research is vital for educational researchers. AERA has taken the lead in ensuring that education researchers are ethical in their interactions and work with the human populations they study and are cognizant of the protection of their subjects’ privacy.

AERA Action

AERA has taken action both within and outside of the organization to enhance protection of human rights:

• AERA took the lead as part of a coalition of social and behavioral scientists and scientific organizations in submitting a white paper responding to the Department of Health and Human Services’ Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) on the Common Rule.
• The AERA Council approved a revised Code of Ethics upload PDF from desktop in February 2011. This Code builds on the previous iteration by accounting for advances in technology (i.e., data storage and transmission) and furthering strengthening confidentiality.
• The revised code has been adopted by the American Sociological Association upload PDF from desktop
• Educative materials are in development to foster knowledge and adherence to the Code of Ethics.

Resources

AERA Code of Ethics

National Research Council report: Protecting Student Records and Facilitating Education Research