I've been trying to help a student find faces expressing basic
emotions for an experiment. My search took me to the lab of a
famous researcher, one whose name you could probably guess. He
had a set of these faces. Anticipating what would happen, I
pleaded poverty (i.e. no grant, which is true) in making the
request.
In reply, I received an attachment with a sample of beautiful
full-colour photographs of faces expressing basic emotions, and a
request for big bucks to get them. For face pictures, it seemed a
tad excessive. However, I suppose he has the right to recoup the
costs of development. I'm not sure he has the right to make a
profit, though, considering that these materials are intended to
advance basic research.
That's debatable, I guess. But what struck me was the explicit
instruction that the cheque be made out directly to Dr. Famous
Researcher himself. Now I don't know for sure, but it wouldn't
surprise me if he developed these materials through government
grants. It that's the case, shouldn't any money earned through
the sale of these materials go back to the grant, not to enrich
him personally?
-Stephen
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Stephen Black, Ph.D. tel: (819) 822-9600 ext 2470
Department of Psychology fax: (819) 822-9661
Bishop's University e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Lennoxville, QC
J1M 1Z7
Canada Department web page at http://www.ubishops.ca/ccc/div/soc/psy
Check out TIPS listserv for teachers of psychology at:
http://www.frostburg.edu/dept/psyc/southerly/tips/
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