Research ethics committees as knowledge gatekeepers: The impact of emerging technologies on social science research

• Social science research ethics shift to discipline-specific principles, beyond procedural norms. • Procedural ethics face criticism; methods-based ethics offer contextually suited principles. • Emerging data technologies push adaptation of methods, and ethics in social science research. • Inequalities in knowledge production prompt scrutiny of ethics committees’ gatekeeping roles. • Tailored ethical guidelines are crucial for diverse methodologies in social science research. This article investigates the evolution of research ethics within the social sciences, emphasising the shift from procedural norms borrowed from medical and natural sciences to social scientific discipline-specific and method-based principles. This transformation acknowledges the unique challenges and opportunities in social science research, particularly in the context of emerging data technologies such as digital data, algorithms, and artificial intelligence. Our empirical analysis, based on a survey conducted among international social scientists (N = 214), highlights the precariousness researchers face regarding these technological shifts. Traditional methods remain prevalent, despite the recognition of new digital methodologies that necessitate new ethical principles. We discuss the role of ethics committees as influential gatekeepers, examining power dynamics and access to knowledge within the research landscape. The findings underscore the need for tailored ethical guidelines that accommodate diverse methodological approaches, advocate for interdisciplinary dialogue, and address inequalities in knowledge production. This article contributes to the broader understanding of evolving research ethics in an increasingly data-driven world.