The Program Evaluation KnowledgeBase : Element 1 : Activity 1 : Task 4: Legal and Ethical Considerations
Guideline: Being familiar with the legal and ethical considerations associated with project evaluation is essential for all those involved with the evaluation team. Having such knowledge enables those involved to comply with any applicable legal requirements and ethical guidelines.
ESOMAR is the "world association of research professionals" these guidelines deal with the ethical considerations involved in conducting survey research with children and young people for both economic and sociological purposes.
Provided through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services the guidebook is designed to help researchers and institutional review board members in understanding the policies and principles that underlie the regulations and in identifying the issues to which one needs to be sensitive in designing and reviewing research protocols.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law designed to protect the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools receiving funds under any applicable U.S. Department of Education program. School districts should ensure all staff members and interpreters are familiar with the applicable policies on the privacy of student records.
A research activity involves human subjects if the activity is research, as defined in the U.S. Department of Education’s regulations, and the research activity will involve use of human subjects, as defined in the regulations. Such activities must follow the Regulations for the Protection of Human Subjects. When developing a program evaluation, it is important to keep these restrictions in mind.
The Department's Office of Chief Financial Officer provides information on federal requirements associated with protecting human subjects in research. Links to general information, regulations, and guidance are offered. Anyone inquiring as to federal requirements should review content provided on this page.
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