Reflection Assignment: Case Study - Who Owns the Field Notes?

Your second reflection assignment must be between 2-3 pages typed, formatted to be double spaced using 12-point font.  You must use at least three academic sources for this assignment.  One of the three can be the textbook.  You must do external research for the other two relevant sources.  All papers must use APA citation styles for the intext citations and for the reference list.  

You must select one of the following case studies for your Reflection Assignment.  Each case study has a concluding paragraph listing questions and choices that the anthropologist is facing.  You must try to respond to these questions and decide the best course of action supporting these decisions using academic sources.    

These case studies are published by the American Anthropological Association and written by Sue-Ellen Jacobs for the Ethics Handbooks.   

Case Study: Who Owns the Field Notes? 

Jerry Vaughn contracted with a federal agency to conduct a social impact assessment of proposed topographic changes in an aboriginal habitat in a far north region of North America. The contract contained no stipulations regarding ownership of data. In order to determine the potential impacts on the culture of peoples living in that region, Vaughn engaged in participant observation (keeping a detailed field notebook of same); conducted in-depth personal interviews; and took over 1,000 photographs of people working, socializing, and enjoying other everyday and special activities. This work was carried out over a one year period. Vaughn was paid 75% of his contracted salary and other expenses before the fieldwork.  

Vaughn then wrote a report detailing the areas of social life that would be adversely affected if the plans were implemented. He further noted that, if the plans were implemented as proposed, there could be no mitigations that could prevent the people's culture from being totally altered. Because of these severe conclusions, the agency director instructed Vaughn to turn over his entire research record in order that the agency could solicit another opinion on the matter. Furthermore, the director told Vaughn that unless he would turn over the record, no further payment would be made to him.  

Vaughn's Dilemma: Should he turn over the interview materials, the photographs, and his field notes, all of which contained sensitive and personal information? Should he turn over only part of his record? Or, should he refuse to turn anything over to the agency?