Risks and harms comprise a controversial topic in health sciences social research: they are minimised, denied, or not communicated to study participants. Article 4 of the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights stipulates the need to minimise harm, but this provision does not appear to refer directly to social sciences.

Objectives:

1) to understand the harmful effects in social research; and 2) to describe the application of Article 4 to harm reduction in this field of research.

Method:

We conducted an internet-based survey with social research investigators, asking about their experience and opinions regarding ethical practices in social research studies.

Results:

Respondents indicated that harmful effects were considered in terms of the repercussions of certain actions and decisions of the investigator.

Discussion:

Social researchers observe Article 4, but this study questions aspects of the social and cultural context and their ethical repercussions.