•TranscribeFast Team

Ethics Primer for Students: Consent, Anonymity, and Safe Storage

Plain‑language guide for doing interviews ethically in school projects: what to say before recording, when to ask IRB/teacher, anonymizing, and basic data security.

Ethics ≠ paperwork only. It’s how you respect people’s time, safety, and privacy. This primer gives you simple steps you can actually follow as a student interviewer.

What you'll learn

  • What to say before recording (copy‑paste script)
  • When to ask for teacher/IRB approval
  • How to anonymize and store data safely

Before you record: consent in plain language

"I’m doing a class project about [topic]. With your permission, I’ll record
so I don’t miss details—only my teacher and I will access the recording/transcript.
You can pause, skip, or stop at any time. If there’s anything you don’t want recorded,
tell me and I’ll stop. Do you consent to participate and be recorded?"
  • Offer a non‑recorded option (typed notes only) if needed.
  • Give a short written consent form and keep a copy.

When do I need teacher/IRB approval?

  • Class projects (no publication): Usually teacher approval is enough.
  • Publishing or presenting outside class: Ask about IRB or school policies.
  • Vulnerable populations/sensitive topics: Check with your teacher in advance.

Anonymity and de‑identification

  • Replace names with pseudonyms (e.g., "Alex, 17, commuter student").
  • Remove exact locations, school IDs, and unique details.
  • Store the key (real name ↔ pseudonym) separately from transcripts.

Safe storage basics

  • Use password‑protected cloud or encrypted storage your school allows.
  • Share only with your teacher/approved teammates.
  • Delete raw files when the project ends (per course rules).

Common mistakes

  • No consent script → participant confusion later.
  • Transcripts with real names left in.
  • Recordings stored in public/shared folders.