six principles to guide research on digital markets
Public information should be available for research
Researchers rely on access to public information to conduct studies that inform policy and enhance societal understanding. The definition of what qualifies as public information will vary across contexts and time, but societies should protect those working with such data.
Independent research is needed to monitor and evaluate firm operations
Independent monitoring is crucial to detecting and addressing potential abuses, biases, or harmful practices within digital platforms. Evaluating firm operations transparently helps maintain accountability and trust among users and stakeholders.
Firms must facilitate the sharing of research-relevant data with external researchers
Data sharing between firms and researchers increases transparency and accountability, enables a deeper understanding of digital ecosystems, and can foster innovation. Data sharing and collaboration on equal footing can lead to the development of tools and insights that benefit society, such as improved algorithms for detecting illegal content.
Firms must not be able to block or vet research findings
Corporate blocking or vetting of academic research undermines the scientific process and prevents the dissemination of critical findings that could inform public debate and policy. Ensuring that findings are published, regardless of corporate interests, supports the integrity and progress of scientific inquiry.
Institutions, in particular universities and journals, need to protect good-faith research and researchers from legal risks
Universities and journals must establish robust legal support systems to defend researchers against potential lawsuits and other legal challenges. By doing so, they create a safe environment for academic freedom and the pursuit of knowledge without fear of retribution.
The academic community must safeguard research ethics and integrity
The community must develop clear, enforceable guidelines covering many areas: from the protection of the data and subjects involved in the research to ensuring the information collected is archivable and reproducible, allowing longitudinal studies that can track changes and trends over time (among others).
signatories
The Ascona Principles stem from a workshop held at the conference “Mapping and Governing the Online World,” held in Ascona, Switzerland. An international and interdisciplinary group of researchers from Economics, Law, Computer and Political Sciences discussed the trade-offs and challenges associated with data access for empirical research on the digital economy and developed the six core principles. The following individuals helped develop and signed on to these principles:
futher signatories
The following individuals have signed on to the principles:
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