Lecture 9 Research Ethics and Integrity
Main Ethical Principles in Computing Research
This slide outlines the fundamental ethical principles that guide research in computing and IT, ensuring that researchers act responsibly and uphold integrity when dealing with participants, data, and outcomes.
Key Principles:
1. Beneficence:
Definition: Maximizing benefits while minimizing risks to participants.
Explanation: Researchers must design studies that provide value (e.g., advancing knowledge or technology) while protecting participants from harm.
Example: When developing AI systems, ensuring that the benefits of automation (e.g., increased efficiency) outweigh potential risks (e.g., job displacement).
2. Justice:
Definition: Ensuring fairness in the selection and treatment of participants.
Explanation: No group should bear an unfair burden or be excluded from the benefits of research.
Example: Selecting diverse user groups in usability testing for software to avoid bias and ensure fair representation.
3. Confidentiality:
Definition: Protecting the identity and personal data of participants.
Explanation: Researchers must secure data to prevent unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse.
Example: Encrypting survey responses collected from participants and anonymizing data in published findings.
4. Professionalism:
Definition: Adhering to institutional and industry standards.
Explanation: Researchers must follow codes of conduct and established ethical guidelines in their work.
Example: Following IEEE’s ethical guidelines when reporting findings in a research paper on AI systems.
Example Provided on the Slide:
Ethical AI Development:
This involves addressing biases in algorithms to prevent societal harm, such as discriminatory outcomes in hiring or loan approval systems.
Researchers must evaluate datasets for potential biases and test algorithms to ensure fairness and inclusivity.
Importance of These Principles:
Builds Trust: Ensures that participants and stakeholders trust the research process and its outcomes.
Prevents Harm: Protects individuals and society from the potential misuse of technology.
Promotes Accountability: Encourages researchers to act responsibly and be answerable for their work.