I think the pertinent ethical question concerns not the research itself or
access to the materials which formed the subject of the research--access
which theoretically any outside researcher should have.  In this case, the
issue seems to be that the work originally was done on the employer's time.
Normally an employer "owns" your official time and you're not allowed to gain
personal profit from it--whether the profit lies in money or fame and
notoriety.  In the spirit of promoting scholarship, however, I agree that the
former employer would be well advised to release the former employee to
utilize the fruits of research.  So it would be a good idea to request
permission, and an excellent and gracious gesture for the employer to agree.

David Haberstich

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).