What are some useful resources for learning about ethics in general and ethical research in human ecology in particular?
Web based resources for understanding traditional ethical concerns and approaches from within individual disciplines and professional societies are listed below. It is important to note however, that Compared with traditional theoretical research in a specific discipline, the ethical challenges for doing research in Human Ecology , are compounded. Why? Because the work involves multiple disciplines, various forms of connection between theory and practice or real world problems, and multiple stakeholders. It typically calls not only for the judicious application of the ethical standards formulated by a single discipline but for the creative resolution of conflicts between different ethical standards and concerns related to different disciplines, problems, and communities. Useful texts for practicing conflict resolution in general include the classic GETTING TO YES by Roger Fisher et. al. and the materials provided on line at http://www.beyondintractability.org. A short essay suggesting how to apply such principles to ethics in the context of work on ecological and socially responsible business is provided in "The New Entrepreneurial Ethics".
Carleton College in Minnesota provides a very useful model for the review of the kinds of work specifically covered by the law on "research" on "human subjects". It was drawn on heavily at a number of points for constructing these COA research ethics webpages: http://apps.carleton.edu/governance/institutional_review_board/
