Challenges and Resistance: Computing and Research Ethics Committees in Brazil
摘要
Approval from a Research Ethics Committee is required for conducting studies with human participants, even within Computing disciplines. This requirement, although established since the 1990s, still encounters resistance, disregard, or undervaluation in this field, unlike in other areas that have more readily accepted it. They aim to safeguard research subjects, yet their members frequently lack knowledge about the Computing epistemological nuances. This research explores the views of Brazilian Computing researchers regarding the committees by employing a mixed-methods approach that involves 85 questionnaire responses and 20 interviewed participants. The results uncover ethical challenges and relativistic perspectives, underscoring the ongoing resistance in parts of the community. Ultimately, the study proposes avenues for ethical and moral progress in this context.