Abstract
Human subjects research entails risks for subjects and, to a lesser extent, for researchers. This paper introduces the common types of risks to subjects of empirical software engineering research, and how risk can be a function of the context in which the research is conducted. Risks for researchers are also discussed. Government regulation of the ethics of human subjects research is introduced using the example of the Common Rule that governs much human subjects research taking place in the United States.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Common Rule (45 CFR 46, Subpart A). http://ohrp.osophs.dhhs.gov/.
Institutional Review Board (IRB) Guidebook. http://ohrp.osophs.dhhs.gov/.
Holmes, D. 1976. Debriefing after psychological experiments: Effectiveness of post-experimental desensitizing. American Psychologist 32: 868-875.
Sieber, J. E. (1992). Planning Ethically Responsible Research. Newbury Park: Sage.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sieber, J.E. Protecting Research Subjects, Employees and Researchers: Implications for Software Engineering. Empirical Software Engineering 6, 329–341 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011978700481
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011978700481