Foundations and Trends® in Information Systems > Vol 2 > Issue 2

A Review of Ethical Issue Considerations in the Information Systems Research Literature

By David Paradice, Auburn University, USA, dparadice@auburn.edu | David Freeman, Auburn University, USA, dzf0015@tigermail.auburn.edu, | Jianliang Hao, Auburn University, USA, jzh0064@tigermail.auburn.edu | Joonghee Lee, Auburn University, USA, jzl0165@tigermail.auburn.edu | Dianne Hall, Auburn University, USA, halldia@auburn.eduu

 
Suggested Citation
David Paradice, David Freeman, Jianliang Hao, Joonghee Lee and Dianne Hall (2018), "A Review of Ethical Issue Considerations in the Information Systems Research Literature", Foundations and TrendsĀ® in Information Systems: Vol. 2: No. 2, pp 117-236. http://dx.doi.org/10.1561/2900000012

Publication Date: 21 Feb 2018
© 2018 D. Paradice, D. Freeman, J. Hao, J. Lee and D. Hall
 
Subjects
Information systems and individuals,  Information systems and society,  Information systems research methods,  Organizational behavior,  Behavioral decision making,  Consumer behavior,  Health economics,  Law and economics
 
Keywords
Information systems researchCodes of ethicsEthical theoriesEthicsEthics in information systems design and useEthics in information systems research
 

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In this article:
1. Introduction 
2. Ethical Theories 
3. Methodology and Macro Analysis 
4. Behavior/Decision Making 
5. Calls for Research 
6. Codes of Ethics 
7. Design 
8. Ethics as a Classification Category 
9. Government 
10. Identity 
11. Innovation 
12. Piracy 
13. Planning 
14. Privacy 
15. Researcher Obligations 
16. Security 
17. Teaching Case 
18. Theory 
19. Trust 
20. An Agenda for IS Research 
21. Conclusion 
Appendices 
References 

Abstract

This monograph summarizes the treatment of ethical considerations that have been made by information systems researchers as reported in papers published in the Association of Information Systems Senior Scholars Basket of Journals. These eight journals, the first of which was published in 1977, contain 145 papers that are summarized in sixteen categories. When examined in this fashion, we find that information systems research over the years that incorporates an ethical perspective has transitioned from a focus on codes of ethics and general notions of behavior to more sophisticated models of piracy, privacy, and security. There has been a steady focus on theory development over the last ten years, as well as constant scrutiny on the obligations of information system researchers to both the subjects of studies and the consumers of the research results. The monograph begins with a brief introduction and review of major ethical theories. This is followed by the category summaries, which are listed in alphabetical order to enable a reader to jump to a specific topic. The last sections of the monograph address future research opportunities and the conclusions we draw. These sections include topics from the papers published as well as our own suggestions for research that examines ethical concerns in the increasingly networked world in which we live.

DOI:10.1561/2900000012
ISBN: 978-1-68083-398-0
140 pp. $80.00
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ISBN: 978-1-68083-399-7
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Table of contents:
1. Introduction
2. Ethical Theories
3. Methodology and Macro Analysis
4. Behavior/Decision Making
5. Calls for Research
6. Codes of Ethics
7. Design
8. Ethics as a Classification Category
9. Government
10. Identity
11. Innovation
12. Piracy
13. Planning
14. Privacy
15. Researcher Obligations
16. Security
17. Teaching Case
18. Theory
19. Trust
20. An Agenda for IS Research
21. Conclusion
Appendices
References

A Review of Ethical Issue Considerations in the Information Systems Research Literature

A Review of Ethical Issue Considerations in the Information Systems Research Literature summarizes the treatment of ethical considerations that have been made by information systems researchers. When examined in this fashion, one finds that information systems research over the years that incorporates an ethical perspective has transitioned from a focus on codes of ethics and general notions of behavior to more sophisticated models of piracy, privacy, and security. There has been a steady focus on theory development over the last ten years, as well as constant scrutiny on the obligations of information system researchers to both the subjects of studies and the consumers of the research results. The monograph begins with a brief introduction and review of major ethical theories. This is followed by the category summaries, which are listed in alphabetical order to enable a reader to jump to a specific topic. The last sections address future research opportunities and the conclusions drawn.

 
ISY-012