Research Ethics in the Humanities: Tensions, Advances, and Institutional Challenges

Abstract

Introduction: This article examines the effects of the National Commission for Research Ethics (Conep) on research in the Human and Social Sciences (HSS), highlighting the tension between an evaluation system structured under the hegemony of a biomedical matrix and the distinct epistemologies of the humanities. The central issue is the limited suitability of current regulations for the methodological practices of the HSS, with consequences for informed consent procedures, data use, and scientific writing. Materials and methods: The analysis adopts a socio-historical approach based on normative documentation (resolutions, official notices, and related legislation) and specialized academic literature. This method enables the reconstruction of the institutional trajectory of the CEP-Conep System and the assessment of its repercussions for research practices in the HSS. Results: The study identifies: (1) the expansion of the CEP-Conep System—initially grounded in the biomedical field—into the regulation of HSS research; (2) the mobilization of academic associations in the humanities, organized in a dedicated forum, advocating for an evaluation model tailored to the area; (3) Resolution 510/2016 as a partial advancement, by recognizing qualitative methodologies and allowing more flexible consent procedures; (4) persistent challenges, such as biomedical predominance in committee composition and operational difficulties; and (5) Resolution 674/2022, which specifies types of research exempt from mandatory submission, including opinion polls, the use of public data, and literature reviews. Discussion: Despite recent adjustments, the current model remains only partially compatible with the epistemological diversity of the HSS. The article argues that ethical training must transcend procedural compliance, emphasizing integrity, responsible authorship, and careful use of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence. It concludes that building an ecosystem of research ethics requires coordinated action among researchers, institutions, and science policy actors, overcoming constraints inherited from the biomedical tradition.