Research Ethics in Information Systems: Would a Code of Practice Help?

Abstract

The ethical conduct of research is a mark of integrity in the academic and professional worlds. This paper, which draws upon discussions conducted in a panel at the 21st ICIS conference in Brisbane, examines ethical issues associated with three key components of the research process: design, data collection and analysis; writing; and reviewing. The implications of these issues for the IS research community are discussed. Example scenarios are used to illuminate the issues faced by authors and reviewers. After considering the alternatives of strict guidelines enforced by bureaucratic structures, self regulation without guidelines and self regulation through norms set by a code of practice, the last option is recommended because it can lead to better practice in a constructive fashion without either excessive bureaucratic intervention or a "free-for-all" where "anything goes".