ETHICAL STANDARDS
HMANA has long
recognized that hawk watches have a proprietary interest in the data they
collect and archive with HMANA. Hawk
watches maintain ownership of and responsibility for their raptor migration data
and provide their data to HMANA for use and redistribution under the guidelines
as defined in this HMANA Data Policy.
Under this policy we acknowledge
the interests of hawk watches and provide guidelines for the use of Raptor Migration Data.
When an individual or an organization wishes to analyze,
disseminate or otherwise reproduce any of these data maintained by HMANA, then
written permission is required via the HMANA Data
Release Policy. The term
disseminate should be widely interpreted as thesis, in-house publication, web
sites, presentations, slide shows, magazines, newspapers, etc., as well as
formal scientific publications.
HMANA is committed to actively promoting professional courtesy, ethics and the highest standard of scientific integrity in the use of raptor migration data collected by others. Generally, this means being sensitive to ongoing projects by others who may be using the data, especially the collectors of the data being used, and not allowing the data to be used inappropriately, such as for disturbance of endangered or sensitive species. Proper citation and crediting of hawk watches is expected. The hawk watch has the first right to use its data, and when appropriate, should be offered co-authorship privileges.? Some hawk watches may wish to restrict the use of their data or prefer to exercise direct oversight. HMANA maintains a list of data release requirements for all participating hawk watches. HMANA will provide contact information for hawk watches upon request.
HMANA recommends to the hawk watches that the data be made available in the publicly accessible HawkCount database. HMANAs default policy is to provide unrestricted viewing of raptor migration data contained within its online databases, and most data are generally available for viewing as soon as entered.? However, this does not abdicate the proprietary ownership privileges of HMANA and the hawk watches that contribute their data. We draw the distinction between viewing and release where data are readily viewable by all interested parties, but the act of publication or reproduction requires explicit permission through the process of data release.
Data users are explicitly asked to maintain these high standards of professional courtesy, scientific integrity and ethical behavior. Users agree to use the data for purposes only in accordance with the HMANA mission statement: To preserve raptor populations and their environments across the hemisphere through programs of monitoring, recreation, education, science and conservation. Should questions of ethical data use arise, or if the user otherwise requires advice or guidance, HMANA can serve as a conduit between the users and the hawk watches, the scientific community, peer reviews, etc.
Definitions of key terms may be found in the attached Glossary. Your questions and comments may be submitted to the HMANA Data Curator via email to data@hmana.org.