ABSTRACT

Ethical guidelines are an essential part of the assessment process. This chapter reviews the application of those principles within the context of institutional advancement and student success. After providing an overview of the ethical principles that govern the treatment of human subjects and data, the chapter reexamines those principles through the lens of campus advancement. The idea of practical ethics is discussed as a means for balancing ethical guidelines with the need to move campuses forward. The American Evaluation Association (AEA) and the Joint Committee on Standards for Education Evaluation (JCSEE) are the leading authorities for providing and reviewing ethical standards for assessment in higher education. Along with obligations to maintain confidentiality, a fundamental ethical obligation for researchers and evaluators alike is to assure participants that their participation is voluntary. A cornerstone of conducting ethical research is protecting participants by providing them with either anonymity or confidentiality.