Research Ethical Norms, Guidance and the Internet

Area of Science:

• Research Ethics
• E-Research Ethics
• Philosophy of Science

Background:

• The internet introduces novel ethical challenges for scientific research.
• Existing research ethical norms are intended to guide scientists but face criticism.
• Concerns exist that these norms are inconsistent, opaque, or inadequate for complex e-research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically evaluate common arguments against the guiding capacity of research ethical norms.
• To clarify and strengthen the understanding of these arguments and the norms themselves.
• To demonstrate that research ethical norms can effectively guide e-research practices.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of existing literature on research ethics and e-research.
• Detailed examination of three primary arguments criticizing research ethical norms.
• Application of specific distinctions and an account of action-guidance to refine the arguments.
• Evaluation of the premises and relevance of the criticisms.

Main Results:

• The common arguments that research ethical norms fail to guide are found to be weak.
• Upon closer examination, the premises of these arguments are either untenable or irrelevant.
• The criticisms do not conclusively demonstrate that research ethical norms are inadequate for guiding e-research.

Conclusions:

• Research ethical norms remain a valuable and viable guide for scientists conducting e-research.
• The perceived failures of ethical norms are based on weak or misapplied arguments.
• Further clarification and precise application of norms can overcome challenges in e-research ethics.