Research ethics committees as knowledge gatekeepers: The impact of emerging technologies on social science research
This article investigates the evolution of research ethics within the social sciences, emphasising the shift from procedural norms borrowed from medical and natural sciences to social scientific discipline-specific and method-based principles. This transformation acknowledges the unique challenges a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Responsible Technology |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666659625000083 |
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| author | Anu Masso Jevgenia Gerassimenko Tayfun Kasapoglu Mai Beilmann |
| author_facet | Anu Masso Jevgenia Gerassimenko Tayfun Kasapoglu Mai Beilmann |
| author_sort | Anu Masso |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This article investigates the evolution of research ethics within the social sciences, emphasising the shift from procedural norms borrowed from medical and natural sciences to social scientific discipline-specific and method-based principles. This transformation acknowledges the unique challenges and opportunities in social science research, particularly in the context of emerging data technologies such as digital data, algorithms, and artificial intelligence. Our empirical analysis, based on a survey conducted among international social scientists (N = 214), highlights the precariousness researchers face regarding these technological shifts. Traditional methods remain prevalent, despite the recognition of new digital methodologies that necessitate new ethical principles. We discuss the role of ethics committees as influential gatekeepers, examining power dynamics and access to knowledge within the research landscape. The findings underscore the need for tailored ethical guidelines that accommodate diverse methodological approaches, advocate for interdisciplinary dialogue, and address inequalities in knowledge production. This article contributes to the broader understanding of evolving research ethics in an increasingly data-driven world. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7c0b8df7008b4f31a3b560eb26aa8bc0 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2666-6596 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Responsible Technology |
| spelling | doaj-art-7c0b8df7008b4f31a3b560eb26aa8bc02025-08-20T03:00:07ZengElsevierJournal of Responsible Technology2666-65962025-03-012110011210.1016/j.jrt.2025.100112Research ethics committees as knowledge gatekeepers: The impact of emerging technologies on social science researchAnu Masso0Jevgenia Gerassimenko1Tayfun Kasapoglu2Mai Beilmann3Ragnar Nurkse Department of Innovation and Governance, Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia; Smart City Center of Excellence (Finest Twins), Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia; Corresponding author.Ragnar Nurkse Department of Innovation and Governance, Tallinn University of Technology, EstoniaRagnar Nurkse Department of Innovation and Governance, Tallinn University of Technology, EstoniaInstitute of Social Studies, University of Tartu, EstoniaThis article investigates the evolution of research ethics within the social sciences, emphasising the shift from procedural norms borrowed from medical and natural sciences to social scientific discipline-specific and method-based principles. This transformation acknowledges the unique challenges and opportunities in social science research, particularly in the context of emerging data technologies such as digital data, algorithms, and artificial intelligence. Our empirical analysis, based on a survey conducted among international social scientists (N = 214), highlights the precariousness researchers face regarding these technological shifts. Traditional methods remain prevalent, despite the recognition of new digital methodologies that necessitate new ethical principles. We discuss the role of ethics committees as influential gatekeepers, examining power dynamics and access to knowledge within the research landscape. The findings underscore the need for tailored ethical guidelines that accommodate diverse methodological approaches, advocate for interdisciplinary dialogue, and address inequalities in knowledge production. This article contributes to the broader understanding of evolving research ethics in an increasingly data-driven world.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666659625000083Research ethicsEthics committeesSocial sciencesResearch methodsDataAlgorithms |
| spellingShingle | Anu Masso Jevgenia Gerassimenko Tayfun Kasapoglu Mai Beilmann Research ethics committees as knowledge gatekeepers: The impact of emerging technologies on social science research Journal of Responsible Technology Research ethics Ethics committees Social sciences Research methods Data Algorithms |
| title | Research ethics committees as knowledge gatekeepers: The impact of emerging technologies on social science research |
| title_full | Research ethics committees as knowledge gatekeepers: The impact of emerging technologies on social science research |
| title_fullStr | Research ethics committees as knowledge gatekeepers: The impact of emerging technologies on social science research |
| title_full_unstemmed | Research ethics committees as knowledge gatekeepers: The impact of emerging technologies on social science research |
| title_short | Research ethics committees as knowledge gatekeepers: The impact of emerging technologies on social science research |
| title_sort | research ethics committees as knowledge gatekeepers the impact of emerging technologies on social science research |
| topic | Research ethics Ethics committees Social sciences Research methods Data Algorithms |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666659625000083 |
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