Current issues inbehavioral and socialscience research ethics

James M. DuBois, Emily C. Lisi

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

Many researchers consider behavioral and social science (BSS) studies as "soft" science with negligible ethical risk. However, specific ethical issues arise in BSS research that require special consideration on the part of researchers and ethics review committees. This chapter focuses on these issues within the context of three studies that demonstrate concerns that may arise in conducting BSS research. Topics include deciding what BSS studies should be defined as "research" (or not), risks inherent in specific types of BSS research, protection of privacy and confidentiality, and special considerations in informed consent for BSS studies. Special topics addressed in this chapter include the ethical issues associated with studies utilizing social media and community-based participatory research, as well as the importance of rigor and reproducibility in BSS research in the context of ethical review. Finally, the chapter highlights the necessity of empirical study of ethical issues in BSS research to assess decision-making in an ever-evolving social landscape.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Oxford Handbook of Research Ethics
PublisherOxford University Press
Pages501-524
Number of pages24
ISBN (Electronic)9780190947767
ISBN (Print)9780190947750
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 8 2020

Keywords

  • Behavioral research ethics
  • Ethics review
  • Risk
  • Social media research
  • Social science ethics
  • Social science research

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