Self-reflection guide Human-Related Big Data Research (MBDO)

Abstract

This Self-Reflection Guide is a tool for researchers and research teams within the Faculty of Humanities (HUM) of Utrecht University (UU), designed to invite them to self-reflect on their research plans, so that they can conduct non-contact Human-Related Big Data Research (MBDO) while abiding to the law and frameworks of scientific integrity. The goals are to ensure this type of studies are conducted in an ethical and lawful manner within the Faculty of Humanities, on the basis of a 'yes-but' model, taking into account ethics, privacy and data management at all stages of the research. In principle, MBDO research does not have to assessed by the Humanities Faculty Ethics Comittee (FEtC-H). Plans for Big Data studies where researchers interact with data subjects should apply for ethical approval from the FEtC-H.