HomeBlogStudent Voices Preserving Human Experiences: Data and Ethics by Daisy Martinez-JimenezNovember 18, 2025 Share: Section NavigationSkip section navigationIn this sectionBlog Home AI and Engaged Learning Assessment of Learning Capstone Experiences CEL News CEL Retrospectives CEL Reviews Collaborative Projects and Assignments Community-Based Learning Data Literacy Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity ePortfolio Feedback First-Year Experiences Global Learning Health Sciences High Impact Practices Immersive Learning Internships Learning Communities Mentoring Relationships Online Education Place-Based Learning Professional and Continuing Education Publishing SoTL Reflection and Metacognition Relationships Residential Learning Communities Service-Learning Signature Work Student Leadership Student-Faculty Partnership Studying EL Supporting Neurodivergent and Physically Disabled Students Undergraduate Research Work-Integrated Learning Writing Transfer in and beyond the University Style Guide for Posts to the Center for Engaged Learning Blog This summer, I had the opportunity to deepen my understanding of data as a research assistant under Dr. Amanda Kleintop, working with archived records from the US Slave Claims Commissions. In this role, I was responsible for transcribing documents from the 1860s into a digital database. These documents detailed claims made by slave owners seeking compensation for formerly enslaved men who had enlisted in the US Army. What initially seemed like a straightforward task revealed to be a profound learning experience on how data can tell stories, preserve human experiences, and highlight the ethical considerations behind digital history and data interpretation. My prior experience with research focused on quantitative data, developed through research methods coursework. I had limited exposure to qualitative research, leading me to initially focus on the technical aspects of the data, including accurately interpreting the cursive handwriting found in the records and correctly inputting the information into the database. At this point, I didn’t fully grasp the weight and human stories found within our data and records. That changed as I learned more about the context of the records and engaged in group discussions with Dr. Kleintop, Dr. Cora Wigger, and fellow research assistants on how we were engaging with the data. Together, we explored Jessica Marie Johnson’s (2018) “Markup Bodies” which examines how researchers have interacted with sensitive data connected to traumatic and dehumanizing experiences, particularly in the context of slavery in the United States. These discussions made ethics a central point in our work as we considered how we were doing it and why this project was pursued. We collectively agreed that our goal was to minimize the replication of trauma and instead center the project around the humanity of the enslaved individuals. Actions such as recording their names were an act of recognition and dignity when history renders them nameless. Our discussions led to the brainstorming of ethics statements to guide the research, including affirming the humanity of the enlisted soldiers and committing to public accessibility of the database to researchers and communities alike to capture a comprehensive and accurate understanding of slavery in the United States. Over the course of the summer, I began to think more critically about the records I was transcribing. My simpler observations and curiosities, such as wondering if shared surnames among soldiers could signal familial relationships, gave way to deeper reflections on how information was categorized, how additional information could be extracted from the records, and how our perspectives influenced the transcription choices we made. I learned that our positionality was the idea that our experiences and background informed our interpretations of the data. This also became a topic of discussion as we looked at examples of ethics statements from similar research projects acknowledging the identity composition of their research teams and how that could drive different decisions. I came to understand the responsibility researchers carry when engaging with sensitive data and how each record shows a glimpse into the lives of formerly enslaved individuals and their stories. This experience has taught me to be more curious about the intent, audience, and goals around data, whether quantitative or qualitative. I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for the role of qualitative data and its potential to uncover lived experiences in even the most difficult subjects. I greatly appreciate Dr. Kleintop for including research assistants in conversations about the project’s intent and direction, as it taught me how data can be used to honor the past and build an ethical, human-centered approach to research. References Johnson, Jessica Marie. 2018. “Markup Bodies: Black [Life] Studies and Slavery [Death] Studies at the Digital Crossroads.” Social Text 36.4: 57-79. https://doi.org/10.1215/01642472-7145658. About the Author Daisy Martinez-Jimenez is a senior Odyssey Scholar, majoring in Economics and Public Policy. She worked as a research assistant under Dr. Amanda Kleintop in the summer of 2025. How to Cite This Post Martinez-Jiminez, Daisy. 2025. “Preserving Human Experiences: Data and Ethics.” Center for Engaged Learning (blog). Elon University. November 18, 2025. https://www.centerforengagedlearning.org/preserving-human-experiences-data-and-ethics/.
