The Handbook of Information and Computer Ethics

Book Review Chapter 11:

Internet Research Ethics: The Field and Its Critical Issues: ELIZABETH A. BUCHANAN and CHARLES ESS

Library Reference: N/A

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Information-Computer-Ethics/dp/0471799599/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1232853902&sr=8-1

Quote:  “We have only just begun”

     This means that the Information Research Ethics has only begun. Basically it’s because it only started during the 1990s. Yes, it has been over a decade but it has just only begun.

Learning Expectation:

     Although I may have an idea or more or less know what Internet Research is, I am certain that this is indeed the first time I have ever heard of Internet Research Ethics. I didn’t know such a thing existed. So basically, I want to learn about this IRE and what’s the deal with it.

Review:

    Usually, when the term Internet arises, what comes into most people’s mind is research. People actually think of Internet as a way of researching. Yes, I know that there are people who think of other stuff for the Internet, but the majority of people think of Internet as a place where they can find lots and lots of information. Information Research Ethics actually started in the 1990s, which is the time when people stared using the Internet to research for information that they need. Although during the start there weren’t many users yet, eventually the number of users grew rapidly.

This chapter also discusses the specific Internet Research Issues, which states that IRE issues are usually intertwined and consequently more complex. There are also discussions on copyright, revealing identities, respect for persons, emerging issues, and other things related to the Information Research Ethics.

What I’ve learned:

    I have learned now what Information Research Ethics is and it is a ethic specifically for the Internet where in people research. In addition, Information Research Ethics is still young as stated in the chapter and it actually has only begun.

Questions:

1.    Is IRE very important?

2.    What if there was no IRE?

3.    Will it have a negative effect on computers or perhaps even users?

4.    Are people aware of the IRE?

5.    What’s the value of IRE?

Citation: (Kenneth Einar E. Himma & Herman T. Tavani, 2008)