The objective of this article is to compare various ethical issues considered by social scientists and research ethics committees in the evaluation of mental health social research protocols. We contacted 47 social scientists and 10 members of ethics committees in Mexico with two electronic national surveys that requested information from both groups related to the application of ethical principles in mental health social research. The results showed no significant difference between these groups in the value placed on the ethical issues explored. Based on this finding, we make proposals to strengthen the collaboration between the two groups.

Risks and harms comprise a controversial topic in health sciences social research: they are minimised, denied, or not communicated to study participants. Article 4 of the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights stipulates the need to minimise harm, but this provision does not appear to refer directly to social sciences. Objectives: 1) to understand the harmful effects in social research; and 2) to describe the application of Article 4 to harm reduction in this field of research. Methods: We conducted an internet-based survey with social research investigators, asking about their experience and opinions regarding ethical practices in social research studies. Results: Respondents indicated that harmful effects were considered in terms of the repercussions of certain actions and decisions of the investigator, confirms risks such as the misuse and/or manipulation of information, the generation of false expectations of participants, the invasion of their space and privacy. The harms were disclosure of identity, violation of rights and the generation of stigma and prejudice; it brings in other types of harmful effects such as the self-interest of the researcher or his/her institution. Discussion: Social researchers observe Article 4, but this study questions aspects of the social and cultural context and their ethical repercussions.