Between Methodological Agility and Participant Protection: Opinion Research and Scientific Ethics in Light of FAIR Principles and Brazilian Legal Frameworks

Objective: This study analyzes the relationship between public opinion research and scientific ethics, focusing on the role of Research Ethics Committees (RECs), seeking to examine how ethical protocols, regulated by the Resolutions of the National Health Council (466/2012; 510/2016) and Law 14.874/2024, ensure participant protection and methodological quality. Theoretical Framework: Contemporary scientific research requires the integration of ethical and methodological principles, especially in research involving human subjects. FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data management and ethical self-regulation are crucial to ensure transparency and reproducibility, as discussed by Gil (2017), Creswell (2021), and Santos and Nascimento (2018). Method: A documentary research and critical literature review were conducted, including analysis of legal norms (Resolutions 466/2012, 510/2016, and Law 14.874/2024), theoretical references (Gil, 2017; Creswell, 2021), and empirical studies on public opinion research (Weber; Pérsigo, 2019). The methodology followed three steps: (1) mapping formal ethical requirements; (2) critical analysis of operational models in research exempt from REC evaluation; and (3) evaluation of the operationalization of protocols via Plataforma Brasil. Results and Discussion: The results show that RECs act as mediators between scientific rigor and ethical safeguards, and that Plataforma Brasil optimizes procedural transparency in the evaluation of complex projects. However, public opinion research exempt from formal evaluation requires ethical self-regulation aligned with FAIR technical-ethical practices for rigorous anonymization and transparent microdata management. The research also pointed out geographical inequalities in the distribution of qualified RECs, which limits the contextual adjustment of national regulations. Research Implications: Public opinion research illustrates the contemporary challenges in balancing methodological agility and participant protection. The integration of FAIR principles and ethical self-regulation are essential to ensure the integrity of research, especially in digital contexts with large volumes of data. Originality/Value: This study highlights the need for continuous alignment between technical innovation and humanistic principles in Brazilian scientific production. The analysis of public opinion research from the perspective of FAIR principles and Brazilian legal frameworks offers an original perspective on the ethical and methodological challenges faced by researchers.