Ethics Statement
1. Determination of Non-Human Subjects Research (NHSR)
In accordance with federal regulations (45 CFR 46.102(l)(1)), The Belonging Archive is classified as Scholarly and Journalistic Activity.
Focus: This project collects and uses information about specific individuals (oral histories, biographies, and architectural narratives).
Intent: The goal is to document and preserve unique historical records, not to develop or contribute to generalizable scientific knowledge about a broad population.
Compliance: While exempt from formal IRB oversight as an independent project, it adheres to the ethical spirit of the Belmont Report (Respect for Persons, Beneficence, and Justice).
2. Informed Consent Protocol (IRB-Standard)
I utilize a “Consent for Participation and Public Disclosure” process. Before any data collection:
Disclosure: Participants are informed of the researcher’s identity, the project’s purpose, and the public nature of the Substack.
Voluntariness: Participation is 100% voluntary. Participants may refuse to answer any question or end the session at any time.
Revocation: Participants retain the right to request the removal of their specific interview from the archive at any point prior to publication.
3. Risk Mitigation & Privacy (Minimal Risk)
This project is categorized as Minimal Risk, meaning the probability of harm is no greater than that encountered in daily life.
Identifying Information: By default, names and affiliations are used (as per oral history standards). However, participants may request pseudonymity or “off-the-record” status for specific sensitive anecdotes.
Sensitive Content: I avoid solicitations involving illegal acts, medical history, or other “vulnerable population” triggers as defined by IRB categories.
4. Data Security (IRB-Grade Protection)
Encryption: All raw recordings and transcripts are stored on AES 256-bit encrypted drives.
Access Control: No third party has access to the raw, unedited data.
Destruction/Archiving: Following the completion of a series, raw audio is either archived in a secure digital vault or destroyed, depending on the participant’s signed preference.