I am looking forward to do a case study on a government school in UAE. I will need to collect only technical data such as floor plans, electricity bills, interior pictures, lighting control data, etc. This is for my post-grad dissertation. Do I need an ethics form since it does not involve any human data? Or will it be better if I create some sort of contract form for the management to sign?
If your study does not involve direct human interaction, there will be no need for ethics form/approval. All the best.
You ask about a form. This is a bureaucratic matter. What the bureaucratic matter mediates is a moral matter--the need for assessment of risks, benefits and respect. We need the bureaucratic aspect because much past research has been indifferent to harms and exploitation. As a bureaucratic matter the answer turns on the rules of your bureaucracy. As a moral matter, it seems an odd demand, if it is demanded.
Dear Maliha, I humbly think you may need an ethics form; although based on the bureaucratic nature of the school under study.
Ethical consideration in this case is to ensure whatever data you get from the school are used solely for the purpose of your study; and not subject the school, itself, to some unnecessary risk that may arise from the data being misused or misrepresented.
Thank you.
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