Linguistic Fieldwork and IRB Human Subjects Protocols

Abstract

AbstractLinguistic fieldwork generally requires an approved protocol from an Institutional Review Board (IRB). A carefully‐prepared protocol – in addition to being a useful planning tool – is likely to secure IRB approval since most fieldwork plans are well within the purview of federal human subjects regulations. This paper reviews the development of the current IRB system and its shortcomings with respect to social science research generally. The notion of a ‘fieldwork problem’ and IRB reviews is then explored with a discussion of the areas that should be addressed with particular care in fieldwork proposals. This is followed by a description of the Linguistic Data Consortium's IRB experience as an example of how linguists can approach the IRB process for a protocol that meets federal requirements and serves research goals. The final section contains a list of IRB resources for linguists available online.