If you plan to engage with other humans in your research (e.g., surveys, interviews, etc.), you may need to obtain approval from Harvard’s Committee on the Use of Human Subjects.

Review IRB's handout on the definition of Regulated Research and speak to your research advisor. If you need IRB approval, you'll need to factor gaining their approval into your timeline and adjust as necessary.

When working with other individuals on your research, you will need to develop a consent from; it is Extension School policy to protect the confidentially of all research participants by using pseudonyms. Real names are not used, unless they are scholars or high-level professionals in the field who are offering their expert opinion, and only if they consent to having their real names used. This goes for institutions as well. If you are studying a particular museum, for example, it is the Extension School policy to not name the specific musuem. 

In sum, it is your ethical duty to be vigilant about gaining the proper permission to engage in research and protecting research participants' anonymity.