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Chapter 5. Ethical considerations for research involving computer-assisted language learning, social media, and online environments

Computer-assisted language learning, social media, and online environments

image of Chapter 5. Ethical considerations for research involving computer-assisted language learning, social media, and online environments

While ethics has received a great deal of attention in research exploring second language (L2) learning and teaching within offline settings (e.g., face-to-face classrooms), there has been relatively less discussion of ethical decision-making processes in online research settings. However, online research presents new ethical challenges which need to be addressed, encompassing issues such as the blurred distinction between public and private data, source traceability, online security, and the potential risk of personal information disclosure. These concerns are particularly relevant to computer-assisted language learning (CALL) research employing information and communication technologies. The current chapter discusses ethical challenges in CALL by focusing on both classroom-oriented CALL research (i.e., L2 studies conducted in more formal educational settings) and social media-related CALL investigations (i.e., studies conducted in informal settings, typically involving social media platforms and mobile apps). Specifically, this chapter addresses three common ethical challenges faced by researchers, including: (1) gaining informed consent, (2) obtaining permissions, and (3) protecting participants’ privacy. We first provide concrete examples from published literature to illustrate effective strategies for navigating these challenges. Afterwards, we offer critical reflections and additional practical suggestions aimed at helping CALL scholars responsibly conduct research in digital locales.

e-Book ISBN 9789027246332
  • Affiliations: 1: University of South Florida

References

  1. Buck, A. M. , & Ralston, D. F.
    (2021) I didn’t sign up for your research study: The ethics of using “public” data. Computers and Composition, 61 , 102655. 10.1016/j.compcom.2021.102655
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compcom.2021.102655 [Google Scholar]
  2. Brookes, G. , & McEnery, T.
    (2024).Corpus linguistics and ethics. In P. I. De Costa , C. Cinaglia , & A. Rabie-Ahmed (Eds.), Ethical Issues in Applied Linguistics Scholarship (pp. 28–44). John Benjamins.
     [Google Scholar]
  3. Cook, V.
    (1999) Using SLA research in language teaching. International Journal of Applied Linguistics, 9 (2), 267–284. 10.1111/j.1473‑4192.1999.tb00176.x
     https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1473-4192.1999.tb00176.x [Google Scholar]
  4. De Costa, P. I. , Sterling, S. , Lee, J. , Li, W. , & Rawal, H.
    (2021) Research tasks on ethics in Applied Linguistics. Language Teaching, 54 (1), 58–70. 10.1017/S0261444820000257
     https://doi.org/10.1017/S0261444820000257 [Google Scholar]
  5. Dovchin, S.
    (2015) Language, multiple authenticities and social media: The online language practices of university students in Mongolia. Journal of Sociolinguistics, 19 (4), 437–459. 10.1111/josl.12134
     https://doi.org/10.1111/josl.12134 [Google Scholar]
  6. Franzke, A. S. , Bechmann, A. , Zimmer, M. , Ess, C. , & the Association of Internet Researchers
    (2020) Internet research: Ethical guidelines 3.0. Retrieved on25 July 2024fromhttps://aoir.org/reports/ethics3.pdf
  7. Gass, S. M. , & Mackey, A.
    (2000) Stimulated recall methodology in second language research. Routledge.
     [Google Scholar]
  8. Gibson, W. , & Roca-Cuberes, C.
    (2019) Constructing blame for school exclusion in an online comments forum: Membership categorisation analysis and endogenous category work. Discourse, Context & Media, 32 , 100331. 10.1016/j.dcm.2019.100331
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dcm.2019.100331 [Google Scholar]
  9. Hockly, N.
    (2017) Researching with technology in ELT. ELT Journal, 71 (3), 364–372. 10.1093/elt/ccx019
     https://doi.org/10.1093/elt/ccx019 [Google Scholar]
  10. Hooley, T. , Marriott, J. , & Wellens, J.
    (2012) What is online research? Using the Internet for social science research. Bloomsbury. 10.5040/9781849665544
     https://doi.org/10.5040/9781849665544 [Google Scholar]
  11. Isbell, D. R.
    (2018) Online informal language learning: Insights from a Korean learning community. Language Learning & Technology, 22 (3), 82–102.
     [Google Scholar]
  12. Jewitt, C. , Bezemer, J. , & O’Halloran, K.
    (2016) Introducing multimodality. Routledge. 10.4324/9781315638027
     https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315638027 [Google Scholar]
  13. Johnson, R. B. , & Christensen, L. B.
    (2004) Educational research: Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed approaches (2nd ed.). Allyn and Bacon.
     [Google Scholar]
  14. Jones, R. H. , Chik, A. , Hafner, C. A. , & King, B. W.
    (2015) Investigating digital sex talk practices: A reflection on corpus-assisted discourse analysis. InDiscourse and digital practices: Doing discourse analysis in the digital age (pp. 130–143). Routledge. 10.4324/9781315726465
     https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315726465 [Google Scholar]
  15. Kessler, G.
    (2018) Technology and the future of language teaching. Foreign Language Annals, 51 (1), 205–218. 10.1111/flan.12318
     https://doi.org/10.1111/flan.12318 [Google Scholar]
  16. Kessler, M.
    (2021) Supplementing mobile-assisted language learning with reflective journal writing: A case study of Duolingo users’ metacognitive awareness. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 36 (5–6), 1040–106. 10.1080/09588221.2021.1968914
     https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2021.1968914 [Google Scholar]
  17. Kessler, M. , De Costa, P. I. , Isbell, D. R. , & Gajasinghe, K.
    (2021) Conducting a netnography in second language acquisition research. Language Learning, 71 (4), 1122–1148. 10.1111/lang.12456
     https://doi.org/10.1111/lang.12456 [Google Scholar]
  18. Kessler, M. , Loewen, S. , & Trego, D.
    (2020) Synchronous VCMC with TalkAbroad: Exploring noticing, transcription, and learner perceptions in Spanish foreign-language pedagogy. Language Teaching Research, 27 (3), 642–659. 10.1177/1362168820954456
     https://doi.org/10.1177/1362168820954456 [Google Scholar]
  19. Kessler, M. , Polio, C. , Xu, C. , & Hao, X.
    (2020) The effects of oral discussion and text chat on L2 Chinese writing. Foreign Language Annals, 53 (4), 666–685. 10.1111/flan.12491
     https://doi.org/10.1111/flan.12491 [Google Scholar]
  20. Kozinets, R. V.
    (2020) Netnography: The essential guide to qualitative social media research. Sage. 10.4324/9781003001430
     https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003001430 [Google Scholar]
  21. Levak, N. , & Son, J.-B.
    (2016) Facilitating second language learners’ listening comprehension with Second Life and Skype. ReCALL, 29 (2), 200–218. 10.1017/S0958344016000215
     https://doi.org/10.1017/S0958344016000215 [Google Scholar]
  22. Li, M. , & Zhu, W.
    (2017) Good or bad collaborative wiki writing: Exploring links between group interactions and writing products. Journal of Second Language Writing, 35 , 38–53. 10.1016/j.jslw.2017.01.003
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jslw.2017.01.003 [Google Scholar]
  23. Page, R.
    (2017) Ethics revisited: Rights, responsibilities and relationships in online research. Applied Linguistics Review, 8 (2–3), 315–320. 10.1515/applirev‑2016‑1043
     https://doi.org/10.1515/applirev-2016-1043 [Google Scholar]
  24. Paulus, T. M. , & Roberts, K. R.
    (2018) Crowdfunding a “Real-life Superhero”: The construction of worthy bodies in medical campaign narratives. Discourse, Context & Media, 21 , 64–72. 10.1016/j.dcm.2017.09.008
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dcm.2017.09.008 [Google Scholar]
  25. Proferes, N. , Jones, N. , Gilbert, S. , Fiesler, C. , & Zimmer, M.
    (2021) Studying Reddit: A systematic overview of disciplines, approaches, methods, and ethics. Social Media + Society, 7 (2), 1–14. 10.1177/20563051211019004
     https://doi.org/10.1177/20563051211019004 [Google Scholar]
  26. Spilioti, T. , & Tagg, C.
    (2017) The ethics of online research methods in applied linguistics: Challenges, opportunities, and directions in ethical decision-making. Applied Linguistics Review, 8 (2–3), 163–167. 10.1515/applirev‑2016‑1033
     https://doi.org/10.1515/applirev-2016-1033 [Google Scholar]
  27. Stommel, W. , & Rijk, L. D.
    (2021) Ethical approval: none sought. How discourse analysts report ethical issues around publicly available online data. Research Ethics, 17 (3), 275–297. 10.1177/1747016120988767
     https://doi.org/10.1177/1747016120988767 [Google Scholar]
  28. Tao, J. , Shao, Q. , & Gao, X.
    (2017) Ethics-related practices in Internet-based applied linguistics research. Applied Linguistics Review, 8 (4), 321–353. 10.1515/applirev‑2016‑2024
     https://doi.org/10.1515/applirev-2016-2024 [Google Scholar]
  29. Thomas, M. , & Pettitt, N.
    (2016) Informed consent in research on second language acquisition. Second Language Research, 33 (2), 271–288. 10.1177/0267658316670206
     https://doi.org/10.1177/0267658316670206 [Google Scholar]
  30. Wang, S. , & Heffernan, N.
    (2010) Ethical issues in computer-assisted language learning: Perceptions of teachers and learners. British Journal of Educational Technology, 41 (5), 796–813. 10.1111/j.1467‑8535.2009.00983.x
     https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8535.2009.00983.x [Google Scholar]
  31. Yanguas, I.
    (2012) Task-based oral computer-mediated communication and L2 vocabulary acquisition. CALICO Journal, 29 (3), 507–531. 10.11139/cj.29.3.507‑531
     https://doi.org/10.11139/cj.29.3.507-531 [Google Scholar]
  32. Zimmer, M.
    (2010) “But the data is already public”: On the ethics of research in Facebook. Ethics and Information Technology, 12 (4), 313–325. 10.1007/s10676‑010‑9227‑5
     https://doi.org/10.1007/s10676-010-9227-5 [Google Scholar]

References

  1. Buck, A. M. , & Ralston, D. F.
    (2021) I didn’t sign up for your research study: The ethics of using “public” data. Computers and Composition, 61 , 102655. 10.1016/j.compcom.2021.102655
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compcom.2021.102655 [Google Scholar]
  2. Brookes, G. , & McEnery, T.
    (2024).Corpus linguistics and ethics. In P. I. De Costa , C. Cinaglia , & A. Rabie-Ahmed (Eds.), Ethical Issues in Applied Linguistics Scholarship (pp. 28–44). John Benjamins.
     [Google Scholar]
  3. Cook, V.
    (1999) Using SLA research in language teaching. International Journal of Applied Linguistics, 9 (2), 267–284. 10.1111/j.1473‑4192.1999.tb00176.x
     https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1473-4192.1999.tb00176.x [Google Scholar]
  4. De Costa, P. I. , Sterling, S. , Lee, J. , Li, W. , & Rawal, H.
    (2021) Research tasks on ethics in Applied Linguistics. Language Teaching, 54 (1), 58–70. 10.1017/S0261444820000257
     https://doi.org/10.1017/S0261444820000257 [Google Scholar]
  5. Dovchin, S.
    (2015) Language, multiple authenticities and social media: The online language practices of university students in Mongolia. Journal of Sociolinguistics, 19 (4), 437–459. 10.1111/josl.12134
     https://doi.org/10.1111/josl.12134 [Google Scholar]
  6. Franzke, A. S. , Bechmann, A. , Zimmer, M. , Ess, C. , & the Association of Internet Researchers
    (2020) Internet research: Ethical guidelines 3.0. Retrieved on25 July 2024fromhttps://aoir.org/reports/ethics3.pdf
  7. Gass, S. M. , & Mackey, A.
    (2000) Stimulated recall methodology in second language research. Routledge.
     [Google Scholar]
  8. Gibson, W. , & Roca-Cuberes, C.
    (2019) Constructing blame for school exclusion in an online comments forum: Membership categorisation analysis and endogenous category work. Discourse, Context & Media, 32 , 100331. 10.1016/j.dcm.2019.100331
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dcm.2019.100331 [Google Scholar]
  9. Hockly, N.
    (2017) Researching with technology in ELT. ELT Journal, 71 (3), 364–372. 10.1093/elt/ccx019
     https://doi.org/10.1093/elt/ccx019 [Google Scholar]
  10. Hooley, T. , Marriott, J. , & Wellens, J.
    (2012) What is online research? Using the Internet for social science research. Bloomsbury. 10.5040/9781849665544
     https://doi.org/10.5040/9781849665544 [Google Scholar]
  11. Isbell, D. R.
    (2018) Online informal language learning: Insights from a Korean learning community. Language Learning & Technology, 22 (3), 82–102.
     [Google Scholar]
  12. Jewitt, C. , Bezemer, J. , & O’Halloran, K.
    (2016) Introducing multimodality. Routledge. 10.4324/9781315638027
     https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315638027 [Google Scholar]
  13. Johnson, R. B. , & Christensen, L. B.
    (2004) Educational research: Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed approaches (2nd ed.). Allyn and Bacon.
     [Google Scholar]
  14. Jones, R. H. , Chik, A. , Hafner, C. A. , & King, B. W.
    (2015) Investigating digital sex talk practices: A reflection on corpus-assisted discourse analysis. InDiscourse and digital practices: Doing discourse analysis in the digital age (pp. 130–143). Routledge. 10.4324/9781315726465
     https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315726465 [Google Scholar]
  15. Kessler, G.
    (2018) Technology and the future of language teaching. Foreign Language Annals, 51 (1), 205–218. 10.1111/flan.12318
     https://doi.org/10.1111/flan.12318 [Google Scholar]
  16. Kessler, M.
    (2021) Supplementing mobile-assisted language learning with reflective journal writing: A case study of Duolingo users’ metacognitive awareness. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 36 (5–6), 1040–106. 10.1080/09588221.2021.1968914
     https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2021.1968914 [Google Scholar]
  17. Kessler, M. , De Costa, P. I. , Isbell, D. R. , & Gajasinghe, K.
    (2021) Conducting a netnography in second language acquisition research. Language Learning, 71 (4), 1122–1148. 10.1111/lang.12456
     https://doi.org/10.1111/lang.12456 [Google Scholar]
  18. Kessler, M. , Loewen, S. , & Trego, D.
    (2020) Synchronous VCMC with TalkAbroad: Exploring noticing, transcription, and learner perceptions in Spanish foreign-language pedagogy. Language Teaching Research, 27 (3), 642–659. 10.1177/1362168820954456
     https://doi.org/10.1177/1362168820954456 [Google Scholar]
  19. Kessler, M. , Polio, C. , Xu, C. , & Hao, X.
    (2020) The effects of oral discussion and text chat on L2 Chinese writing. Foreign Language Annals, 53 (4), 666–685. 10.1111/flan.12491
     https://doi.org/10.1111/flan.12491 [Google Scholar]
  20. Kozinets, R. V.
    (2020) Netnography: The essential guide to qualitative social media research. Sage. 10.4324/9781003001430
     https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003001430 [Google Scholar]
  21. Levak, N. , & Son, J.-B.
    (2016) Facilitating second language learners’ listening comprehension with Second Life and Skype. ReCALL, 29 (2), 200–218. 10.1017/S0958344016000215
     https://doi.org/10.1017/S0958344016000215 [Google Scholar]
  22. Li, M. , & Zhu, W.
    (2017) Good or bad collaborative wiki writing: Exploring links between group interactions and writing products. Journal of Second Language Writing, 35 , 38–53. 10.1016/j.jslw.2017.01.003
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jslw.2017.01.003 [Google Scholar]
  23. Page, R.
    (2017) Ethics revisited: Rights, responsibilities and relationships in online research. Applied Linguistics Review, 8 (2–3), 315–320. 10.1515/applirev‑2016‑1043
     https://doi.org/10.1515/applirev-2016-1043 [Google Scholar]
  24. Paulus, T. M. , & Roberts, K. R.
    (2018) Crowdfunding a “Real-life Superhero”: The construction of worthy bodies in medical campaign narratives. Discourse, Context & Media, 21 , 64–72. 10.1016/j.dcm.2017.09.008
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dcm.2017.09.008 [Google Scholar]
  25. Proferes, N. , Jones, N. , Gilbert, S. , Fiesler, C. , & Zimmer, M.
    (2021) Studying Reddit: A systematic overview of disciplines, approaches, methods, and ethics. Social Media + Society, 7 (2), 1–14. 10.1177/20563051211019004
     https://doi.org/10.1177/20563051211019004 [Google Scholar]
  26. Spilioti, T. , & Tagg, C.
    (2017) The ethics of online research methods in applied linguistics: Challenges, opportunities, and directions in ethical decision-making. Applied Linguistics Review, 8 (2–3), 163–167. 10.1515/applirev‑2016‑1033
     https://doi.org/10.1515/applirev-2016-1033 [Google Scholar]
  27. Stommel, W. , & Rijk, L. D.
    (2021) Ethical approval: none sought. How discourse analysts report ethical issues around publicly available online data. Research Ethics, 17 (3), 275–297. 10.1177/1747016120988767
     https://doi.org/10.1177/1747016120988767 [Google Scholar]
  28. Tao, J. , Shao, Q. , & Gao, X.
    (2017) Ethics-related practices in Internet-based applied linguistics research. Applied Linguistics Review, 8 (4), 321–353. 10.1515/applirev‑2016‑2024
     https://doi.org/10.1515/applirev-2016-2024 [Google Scholar]
  29. Thomas, M. , & Pettitt, N.
    (2016) Informed consent in research on second language acquisition. Second Language Research, 33 (2), 271–288. 10.1177/0267658316670206
     https://doi.org/10.1177/0267658316670206 [Google Scholar]
  30. Wang, S. , & Heffernan, N.
    (2010) Ethical issues in computer-assisted language learning: Perceptions of teachers and learners. British Journal of Educational Technology, 41 (5), 796–813. 10.1111/j.1467‑8535.2009.00983.x
     https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8535.2009.00983.x [Google Scholar]
  31. Yanguas, I.
    (2012) Task-based oral computer-mediated communication and L2 vocabulary acquisition. CALICO Journal, 29 (3), 507–531. 10.11139/cj.29.3.507‑531
     https://doi.org/10.11139/cj.29.3.507-531 [Google Scholar]
  32. Zimmer, M.
    (2010) “But the data is already public”: On the ethics of research in Facebook. Ethics and Information Technology, 12 (4), 313–325. 10.1007/s10676‑010‑9227‑5
     https://doi.org/10.1007/s10676-010-9227-5 [Google Scholar]

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