Computational social science (CSS) is an expanding field that is transforming the way we understand and analyze social phenomena. However, the use of new technologies and data sources has also raised important ethical questions about how researchers collect, analyze, and interpret data. To support scholars in developing ethical research practices and to facilitate the work of ethics committees, Seliem El-Sayed and Barbara Prainsack have developed an infographic designed to provide an introductory overview of best practices in research ethics in CSS.
This resource is aimed specifically at researchers who are new to the field, at the early stages of their academic careers, or lacking adequate background knowledge in social science research ethics. The infographic covers a range of topics, from the granularity of data to avoiding the misinterpretation of research results, and offers both information and practical guidance to integrate ethical principles into CSS research practices.
The methodology for collecting the best practices in research ethics in CSS was carefully designed to capture the perspectives of scholars in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. The approach consisted of conducting 15 in-depth interviews, each lasting around an hour, with experienced CSS researchers. The interviewees were selected based on their expertise in the field and their demonstrated commitment to ethical research practices. We focussed on identifying key questions and themes that emerged from the interviews, which we then used to guide the development of the best practices. By using this approach, we ensured that the best practices were grounded in the real-world experiences and concerns of CSS researchers.
We sincerely thank Manuel Recker Graphic Recording & Illustration for the collaboration.
