Navigating ethical challenges in research ethics approval: A case study of social science research in Thailand

Abstract

Debates surrounding the research ethics approval process in social science often center on the distinct nature of the field, which markedly differs from biomedical research, thereby influencing the relationship between research ethics committees and social scientists. This relationship is shaped by researchers’ attitudes and expectations, often revealing a disconnect between procedural compliance and genuine ethical reflection. While this issue is widely recognized, specific ethical challenges encountered by social scientists in the approval process, particularly in certain developing countries like Thailand, remain underexplored. This study addresses this gap by identifying the ethical issues that social science researchers frequently face when seeking ethics approval. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study combines in-depth interviews with research ethics committee members and statistical analysis of 647 (n = 647) research proposals submitted for ethics approval between 2021 and 2023 at a social science institution to better understand recurring ethical issues. The findings aim to inform the development of targeted solutions to address these challenges effectively.