# A Non-Expert's Introduction to Data Ethics for Mathematicians

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2201.07794 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2201.07794/

## Key facts

- No citing papers in the map yet (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 11 of its 122 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 18 Jan 2022.

## Builds on (most cited first, 11 of 11)

- [A Survey on Bias and Fairness in Machine Learning](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1908.09635/) (2019)
- [Model Cards for Model Reporting](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1810.03993/) (2018)
- [Mitigating Bias in Algorithmic Hiring: Evaluating Claims and Practices](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1906.09208/) (2019)
- [Re-imagining Algorithmic Fairness in India and Beyond](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2101.09995/) (2021)
- [Reduced, Reused and Recycled: The Life of a Dataset in Machine Learning Research](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2112.01716/) (2021)
- [The Measure and Mismeasure of Fairness](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1808.00023/) (2018)
- [Using Deep Learning and Google Street View to Estimate the Demographic Makeup of the US](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1702.06683/) (2017)
- [Roles for Computing in Social Change](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1912.04883/) (2019)
- [Narratives and Counternarratives on Data Sharing in Africa](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2103.01168/) (2021)
- [Mechanism Design for Social Good](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1810.09832/) (2018)
- [Limits of Individual Consent and Models of Distributed Consent in Online Social Networks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2006.16140/) (2020)

## Abstract (arXiv)

I give a short introduction to data ethics. I begin with some background information and societal context for data ethics. I then discuss data ethics in mathematical-science education and indicate some available course material. I briefly highlight a few efforts -- at my home institution and elsewhere -- on data ethics, society, and social good. I then discuss open data in research, research replicability and some other ethical issues in research, and the tension between privacy and open data and code, and a few controversial studies and reactions to studies. I then discuss ethical principles, institutional review boards, and a few other considerations in the scientific use of human data. I then briefly survey a variety of research and lay articles that are relevant to data ethics and data privacy. I conclude with a brief summary and some closing remarks. My focal audience is mathematicians, but I hope that this chapter will also be useful to others. I am not an expert about data ethics, and this chapter provides only a starting point on this wide-ranging topic. I encourage you to examine the resources that I discuss and to reflect carefully on data ethics, its role in mathematics education, and the societal implications of data and data analysis. As data and technology continue to evolve, I hope that such careful reflection will continue throughout your life.