Cited by 86Ethics and Social Impacts of AIBig Data Technologies and ApplicationsEthics in Business and Education

Engaging the ethics of data science in practice

Open access
Barocas, Solon, Boyd, Danah·2017·Communications of the ACM

Abstract

Seeking more common ground between data scientists and their critics.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1145/3144172

Cites

10 of 10 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

2 of 7 cited sources checked · 1 supported · 0 flagged · accuracy not yet measured

  • Findingown data
    § Toward a Constructive Collaboration

    The fallibility, incompleteness, and insufficiency of data scientists' informal networks is often frustrating for data scientists themselves.

    “and that this is often frustrating for data scientists themselves.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingreasoning
    § Ethics in Practice

    Practitioners face difficult trade-offs even when attempting to address ethical issues more explicitly.

    “Even when attempting to address ethical issues more explicitly, practitioners face difficult trade-offs.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data
    § Abstract

    Data scientists expressed frustration that critics failed to account for the careful thinking and critical reflection that data scientists already do as part of their everyday work.

    “they also expressed frustration that critics failed to account for the careful thinking and critical reflection that data scientists already do as part of their everyday work.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Interpretationreasoning
    § Ethics in Practice

    Broad critiques of data science practices cannot account for the diversity of practices, concerns, or efforts among data scientists.

    “Broad critiques of data science practices cannot account for the diversity of practices, concerns, or efforts among data scientists.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Interpretationown data
    § Toward a Constructive Collaboration

    Even if data scientists take care in their work and seek to engage critics, they may not be well prepared to consider the full range of ethical issues that such work raises.

    “Of course, even if data scientists take care in their work and seek to engage critics, they may not be well prepared to consider the full range of ethical issues that such work raises.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims. 10
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 28
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § Members at Large.

    Satisfying all three fairness expectations (equal accuracy, equal false positive rates, equal false negative rates) at the same time would be impossible in most situations; meeting two will mean failing to comply with the third.

    “recent work has established that satisfying all three at the same time would be impossible in most situations; meeting two will mean failing to comply with the third.4,7”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [4] 4. Corbett-Davies, S. et al. A computer program used for bail and sentencing decisions was labeled biased against blacks. It's actually not that clear. Washington Post (Oct. 17, 2016); https://www.washingtonpost. com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2016/10/17/can-an- algorithm-be-racist-our-analysis-is-more-cautious- than-propublicas/

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites [7] 7. Kleinberg, J., Mullainathan, S. and Raghavan, S. Inherent Trade-Offs in the Fair Determination of Risk Scores. Arxiv.org. 2016; https://arxiv.org/ abs/1609.05807 source

      The characterization theorem (Section 1.2, p. 5) supports the central trade-off: all three conditions can hold together only with perfect prediction or equal base rates. But the paper defines its conditions as calibration within groups and balance in average scores for negative and positive cases (Section 1.1, p. 4), not equal accuracy and equal false-positive and false-negative rates. It calls the latter two conditions generalizations of equal error rates (Introduction, p. 2). (LLM, conf=0.88)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § Ethics in Practice

    Other researchers concerned about gender biases in data have attempted to build technical interventions to address them, but such an approach requires trading off privacy in order to construct a viable fairness remedy.

    “Other researchers who are concerned about gender biases in data have attempted to build technical interventions to address them, 5 but such an approach requires trading off privacy in order to construct a viable fairness remedy, a decision that presents its own challenges.4”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [5] 5. Feldman, M. et al. Certifying and removing disparate impact. In Proceedings of the 21 st ACM SIGKDD International Conference on Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining, (2015), 259-268. source
    • cites [4] 4. Corbett-Davies, S. et al. A computer program used for bail and sentencing decisions was labeled biased against blacks. It's actually not that clear. Washington Post (Oct. 17, 2016); https://www.washingtonpost. com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2016/10/17/can-an- algorithm-be-racist-our-analysis-is-more-cautious- than-propublicas/

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § Abstract

    Common criticisms of data science tend to lack technical specificity or rest on faulty understandings of the relevant techniques.

    “While practitioners were quick to point out that common criticisms of data science tend to lack technical specificity or rest on faulty understandings of the relevant techniques”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning
    § Toward a Constructive Collaboration

    Practitioners want their analysis to be accurate and are deeply troubled by the limits of tests of validity, the problems with reproducibility, and the shortcomings of their methods.

    “Practitioners want their analysis to be accurate and they are deeply troubled by the limits of tests of validity, the problems with reproducibility, and the shortcomings of their methods.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Findingreasoning
    § Toward a Constructive Collaboration

    Both data scientists and critics see a need for nuances within the field.

    “Both see a need for nuances within the field.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given
    § Ethics in Practice

    The data scientists encountered in the study are often sympathetic to the sentiment behind the critiques they hear, but feel maligned and misunderstood, unacknowledged for their efforts, and frustrated by vague recommendations that are not actionable.

    “All too often, the data scientists we have encountered are quite sympathetic to the sentiment behind the critiques they hear, but feel maligned and misunderstood, unacknowledged for their efforts, and frustrated by vague recommendations that are not actionable.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data
    § Toward a Constructive Collaboration

    The informal networks that data scientists rely on are fallible, incomplete, and insufficient.

    “Our research suggests the informal networks that data scientists rely on are fallible, incomplete, and insufficient”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given
    § Ethics in Practice

    When pressed about ethics directly, many data scientists say it is not their area, even though they draw on a wide range of values to work through difficult tensions.

    “Pressed about”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Findingnone given
    § Ethics in Practice

    Many data scientists do not use the language of ethics to talk about their practices.

    “Yet, many data scientists do not use the language of ethics to talk about these practices.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

    Findingnone given
    § Ethics in Practice

    Data scientists engage in countless acts of implicit ethical deliberation as part of their everyday work.

    “Data scientists engage in countless acts of implicit ethical deliberation while viewpoints dealt with independently or on top of technical practice-without noticing that ethical deliberation is embedded in the everyday work of data scientists.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Findingnone given
    § Toward a Constructive Collaboration

    Many data scientists feel as though critics only talk at them.

    “Many data scientists feel as though critics only talk at them.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Findingown data
    § Abstract

    These data scientists felt that easy criticisms overlooked the kinds of routine deliberative activities that outsiders seem to have in mind when they talk about ethics.

    “Instead, these data scientists felt that easy criticisms overlooked the kinds of routine deliberative activities that outsiders seem to have in mind when they talk about ethics.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given
    § Toward a Constructive Collaboration

    Many data scientists are deeply disturbed by those entering the field without rigorous training and by those playing into the hype by promising analyses that are not technically or socially responsible.

    “Many data scientists are also deeply disturbed by those who are coming into the field without rigorous training and those who are playing into the hype by promising analyses that are not technically or socially responsible.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given
    § Members at Large.

    Fuzzy values will be difficult to resolve computationally.

    “that fuzzy values will be difficult to resolve computationally”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Toward a Constructive Collaboration

    Universalizing critiques may undermine critics' opportunities to work with data scientists to meaningfully address some of the most urgent problems.

    “Unfortunately, universalizing critiques may undermine critics' opportunities to work with data scientists to meaningfully address some of the most urgent problems.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Members at Large.

    Favoring certain fairness properties over others could just as well have reflected a difference in values, rather than a failure to recognize the values at stake.

    “Favoring certain fairness properties over others could just as well have reflected a difference in values, rather than a failure to recognize the values at stake.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Toward a Constructive Collaboration

    The gaps between data scientists and critics are wide.

    “The gaps between data scientists and critics are wide”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation
    § Ethics in Practice

    Black defendants in Broward County, FL, who did not reoffend were twice as likely to be mislabeled as posing a high risk of recidivism than white defendants.

    “black defendants in Broward County, FL, who did not reoffend were twice as likely to be mislabeled as posing a high risk of recidivism than white defendants.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [2] 2. Angwin, J. et al. Machine bias. ProPublica. (May 23, 2016); https://www.propublica.org/article/machine- bias-risk-assessments-in-criminal-sentencing

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Toward a Constructive Collaboration

    The work of data scientists is in many ways a qualitative practice.

    “In many ways, the work of data scientists is a qualitative practice: they are called upon to parse an amorphous problem, wrangle a messy collection of data, and make it amenable to systematic analysis.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Toward a Constructive Collaboration

    Data scientists often need help from those who are willing to take time to understand what they are doing and the challenges of their practice.

    “but they often need help from those who are willing to take time to understand what they are doing and the challenges of their practice.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Members at Large.

    This use of data science has prompted a vigorous debate.

    “One thing is for certain: this use of data science has prompted a vigorous debate”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation
    § Abstract

    There is a social-technical gap between what we know we must support socially and what we can support technically.

    “Mark Ackerman reframed this as a social-technical gap between”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [1] 1. Ackerman, M.S. The intellectual challenge of CSCW: The gap between social requirements and technical feasibility. Human-Computer Interaction 15, (2-3), 2000, 179-203. source
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Toward a Constructive Collaboration

    Making the deliberation that is already a crucial part of data science visible will reveal far more common ground between data scientists and their critics and provide a meaningful foundation from which to articulate shared values.

    “Doing so will reveal far more common ground between data scientists and their critics and provide a meaningful foundation from which to articulate shared values.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Toward a Constructive Collaboration

    Technical actors are often far more sophisticated than critics at understanding the limits of their analysis.

    “Technical actors are often far more sophisticated than critics at under-standing the limits of their analysis.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given
    § Toward a Constructive Collaboration

    The critical writing on data science has taken the paradoxical position of insisting that normative issues pervade all work with data while leaving unaddressed the issue of data scientists' ethical agency.

    “The critical writing on data science has taken the paradoxical position of insisting that normative issues pervade all work with data while leaving unaddressed the issue of data scientists' ethical agency.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Members at Large.

    Existing ethical frameworks may not deliver clear answers to data science challenges.

    “and that existing ethical frameworks may not deliver clear answers to data science challenges.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation
    § Ethics in Practice

    Data science is being deployed by powerful organizations to achieve goals that can magnify inequality and undermine democratic decision-making.

    “data science is being deployed by powerful organizations to achieve goals that can magnify inequality and undermine democratic decision-making.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [8] 8. O'Neil, C. Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy. Crown, 2016.

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Ethics in Practice

    Certain problems may stem from genuine value conflicts, not simply a lack of attention to the values at stake.

    “Unfortunately, certain problems may stem from genuine value conflicts, not simply a lack of attention to the values at stake.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Ethics in Practice

    Broad critiques of data science often presume ignorance or corrupt intentions among data scientists.

    “Instead, they often presume ignorance or corrupt intentions.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Toward a Constructive Collaboration

    Critique divorced from practice only increases the gaps between data scientists and critics.

    “but critique divorced from practice only increases them.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Members at Large.

    Even if Northpointe had been more sensitive to disparities in the false positive and false negative rates, the appropriate way to handle such a situation may not have been obvious.

    “Even if Northpointe had been more sensitive to disparities in the false positive and false negative rates, the appropriate way to handle such a situation may not have been obvious.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Members at Large.

    Our normative commitments are not well articulated.

    “making clear that our normative commitments are not well articulated”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning
    § Toward a Constructive Collaboration

    Data scientists, as the ones closest to the work, are often the best positioned to address ethical concerns.

    “Data scientists, as the ones closest to the work, are often the best positioned to address ethical concerns”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
33 of 33

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Angwin , J. et al. Machine bias . ProPublica. (May 23 , 2016 ); https://www.propublica.org/article/machine-bias-risk-assessments-in-criminal-sentencing Angwin, J. et al. Machine bias. ProPublica. (May 23, 2016); https://www.propublica.org/article/machine-bias-risk-assessments-in-criminal-sentencing

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Barocas, S., & Boyd, D.
Affiliations
  • Cornell University (US)
  • Microsoft (United States) (US)
Venue
Communications of the ACM
Published
2017-10-24
Volume
60
Issue
11
Pages
23-25
ISSN
  • 0001-0782 (ISSN-L)
  • 1557-7317
OpenAlex
W2766542544
Cited by
86
References
9
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 1
FWCI
16.30
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
Communications of the ACM (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Science Foundation (IIS-1413864)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Safety Research › Ethics and Social Impacts of AI
  • Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Information Systems and Management › Big Data Technologies and Applications
  • Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Information Systems and Management › Ethics in Business and Education
Keywords
data science practice, data scientists, professional ethics

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