Examines the major federal and state laws that govern the privacy aspects of the use of computer databases in three areas: private institutions, state and local governments, and the federal government. The ability of existing privacy laws to prevent abusive information collection, dissemination, and management practices is evaluated. (four…

Examines four issues involved in "Webster v. Reproductive Health Services:" (1) the preamble to the 1986 Missouri statute on abortion, (2) prohibiting public employees from performing abortions, (3) public funds for encouraging abortion, and (4) gestational age and viability provision. Focuses on the effects on the continuing vitality of…

The metaphysical assumptions undergirding conventional (positivist) approaches to research in the social sciences provide a warrant both for deceptive research and for objectifying human research participants. The present status of ethical guidelines for inquiry are reviewed. Special ethical problems typical of naturalistic inquiry are outlined.…

When conflicts arise between the call for information in the name of public interest and the teacher's right to privacy, teachers' privacy should be respected by school boards and administrators unless the teacher's private life impairs the fulfillment of professional responsibilities. (IAH)

After school boards have adopted a policy on continued school attendance or employment by persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), they must address the related policy areas of sanitation and privacy, and review and update AIDS policies regularly. (MLF)

Discusses problems and ethical issues associated with access to special collections in the humanities. Topics include access to the Dead Sea Scrolls; scholastic monopolies and access barriers; access restrictions and destroyed documents; privacy rights and professional codes of confidentiality; fair use of unpublished manuscripts; and the Freedom…

Reviews policy issues surrounding decisions by governments to make available or to withhold information from government files that can be linked to identifiable individuals. Outlines the debate over access to public records, identifies policies that impact on disclosure decisions, and discusses options and approaches to address access and privacy…

Discusses rules of etiquette for communicating via computer networks, including conversing as politely as you would face-to-face; ethical behavior; becoming familiar with the domain that you are in; rules for discussion groups; quality of writing; sharing appropriate knowledge; and respecting individuals' privacy. (LRW)

Examines issues surrounding electronic mail privacy. Topics include the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA), lawsuits filed under the ECPA, and limitations of the ECPA; state law and criminal law; finding solutions to privacy within the academic sector, governmental sector, and corporate sector; and creating coherent policy. (AEF)

Regarding school searches, courts have provided guidelines balancing individual students' rights against the larger school community's rights. Administrators are bound by the Fourth Amendment, which stresses reasonable grounds of suspicion and related circumstances. Strip searches, metal detectors, hidden cameras, and locker searches may meet…

Notes research indicating that children develop conceptions of personal domain. Focuses on what mothers believe ought to be personal and up to their children to decide. Explores how personal concepts are constructed, negotiated, and elaborated during social interaction in cultural contexts. (ET)

Addresses concerns associated with the evolving National Information Infrastructure, including navigation; electronic bulletin board arrangements, including kiosks or sandboxes; electronic journals and electronic publishing; copyright issues, including liability issues associated with software or downloaded data; privacy rights; and collaboration…

Florida's Education and Training Placement Information Program links records of former students to databases of state and federal agencies to obtain follow-up data on employment, military service, and postsecondary education. Results are provided to counselors, teachers, and policymakers for planning, evaluation, and guidance. (SK)

Discusses the 1992 North Carolina Supreme Court case News and Observer Publishing Co. v. Poole and its implications for public school and community college records. (19 references) (MLF)

Presents a lesson plan for teaching about gangs and the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Includes a handout and discussion questions and identifies sources for further reading. (SG)