Social network analysis: New ethical approaches through collective reflexivity. Introduction to the special issue of Social Networks

• Published in: Social networks Vol. 67; pp. 1 - 8
• Main Authors: Tubaro, Paola, Ryan, Louise, Casilli, Antonio A., D’Angelo, Alessio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.10.2021; Elsevier Science Ltd; Elsevier
• Series: Recent ethical challenges in social network analysis
• Subjects: Computer Science; Computers and Society; Ethical dilemmas; Ethics; Governance; Humanities and Social Sciences; Institutionalization; Peers; Reflexivity; Research ethics; Social and Information Networks; Social network analysis; Social networks; Research ethics; Reflexivity; Social network analysis; social network analysis; reflexivity
• ISSN: 0378-8733; 1879-2111
• DOI: 10.1016/j.socnet.2020.12.001

•Ethical issues in SNA research extend beyond anonymity and consent.•SNA ethics can progress through the active participation of researchers.•Reflexivity will enable a more ethically ‘virtuous’ approach to SNA research.•Indirect reciprocity and mutual learning can facilitate reflexivity in the SNA community. Research in social network analysis (SNA) faces unprecedented ethical challenges today due to both technological developments (‘big’ data) and a growing tendency toward institutionalization of ethics governance. We argue that a suitable response requires a more comprehensive approach to SNA ethics, and we identify two main paths toward this goal. First, we need to recognize the breadth of the subject, no longer limited to anonymity and consent. Second, we need to encourage the active participation and contribution of SNA scholars. We advocate a need for greater reflexivity at both individual and collective levels, whereby researchers can learn from their own and their peers’ experiences, and foster a more ethically ‘virtuous’ approach within the whole SNA community.