Ten simple rules for socially responsible science

Abstract

Ethical guidelines for research have historically been put in place to minimize risk for involved participants. However, researchers can also indirectly inflict harm on individuals and social groups through how they design, report, and disseminate their studies. There is a lack of training on these ethical aspects, evidenced by recent criticisms and retractions of high-profile studies dealing with societal issues, including race, sexual orientation, and professionalism. These cases reflect a profound lack of training and guidance on society-level ethical consequences. These consequences have become increasingly common due to the enhanced accessibility of scientific outputs in traditional and new media channels. Notably, considering the ethical ramifications of research is easier said than done. To initiate efforts to address this gap, we propose ten simple rules for researchers that wish to produce and disseminate research in a socially responsible manner. These rules cover major ethical considerations throughout the life cycle of a study (inception, pre-publication, and dissemination). Furthermore, these rules can serve as a springboard for reflections on ethical considerations in any and all scientific fields.