Open AccessData management in anthropology: the next phase in ethics governance?
Author(s) -
Pels Peter,
Boog Igor,
Henrike Florusbosch J.,
Kripe Zane,
Minter Tessa,
Postma Metje,
SleeboomFaulkner Margaret,
Simpson Bob,
Dilger Hansjörg,
Schönhuth Michael,
Poser Anita,
Castillo Rosa Cordillera A.,
Lederman Rena,
RichardsRissetto Heather
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
social anthropology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.452
H-Index - 40
eISSN - 1469-8676
pISSN - 0964-0282
DOI - 10.1111/1469-8676.12526
Subject(s) - scrutiny , accountability , transparency (behavior) , discipline , engineering ethics , ethnography , research ethics , sociology , corporate governance , position (finance) , public relations , position paper , political science , social science , law , business , management , anthropology , computer science , economics , finance , world wide web , engineering
Recent demands for accountability in ‘data management’ by funding agencies, universities, international journals and other academic institutions have worried many anthropologists and ethnographers. While their demands for transparency and integrity in opening up data for scrutiny seem to enhance scientific integrity, such principles do not always consider the way the social relationships of research are properly maintained. As a springboard, the present Forum, triggered by such recent demands to account for the use of ‘data’, discusses the present state of anthropological research and academic ethics/integrity in a broader perspective. It specifically gives voice to our disciplinary concerns and leads to a principled statement that clarifies a particularly ethnographic position. This position is then discussed by several commentators who treat its viability and necessity against the background of wider developments in anthropology – sustaining the original insight that in ethnography, research materials have been co‐produced before they become commoditised into ‘data’. Finally, in moving beyond such a position, the Forum broadens the issue to the point where other methodologies and forms of ownership of research materials will also need consideration.