Public views on research with publicly available data in Switzerland: Implications for digital research, science communication, and policy

Article Article scientifique Article Public views on research with publicly available data in Switzerland: Implications for digital research, science communication, and policy eng 2025-05-22 2025-11 author Daniore Paola 0000-0003-3319-1125 Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland. author Sedlakova Jana 0000-0002-6887-5941 author Zavattaro Federica 0009-0001-1589-3150 University of Zurich, Switzerland. author Huber Zoé Camille University of Geneva, Switzerland. 899595 author Knieps Melanie University of Zurich, Switzerland. author Haulotte Manon Laurence L 0009-0006-7966-672X University of Fribourg, Switzerland. 403490 author Agbessi Alangue Togbé author Faulk-Antonakis Artémis 0009-0003-2946-8408 University of Geneva, Switzerland. 958577 author von Wyl Viktor 0000-0002-8754-9797 University of Zurich, Switzerland. author Benhamou Yaniv University of Geneva, Switzerland. 511308 Département de droit commercial (DROI1) author Gille Felix University of Zurich, Switzerland. 988-1008 10.1177/09636625251330575 40401581 0963-6625 PMC12535623 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/09636625251330575 The increasing volume of publicly available data brought about by digitalization offers researchers opportunities to examine public sentiment on various national and global issues. However, concerns linked to the use of publicly available data in digital research are insufficiently addressed. To ensure its ethical and trustworthy conduct, it is crucial to assess the public's perception of digital research with publicly available data. We conducted 10 focus groups with 75 participants from the German-, French-, and Italian-speaking regions in Switzerland, reflecting nationwide perspectives on digital research with publicly available data. Through a thematic analysis, four major themes emerged: (1) expectations toward actors and digital research with publicly available data, such as alignment with research standards to promote result validity, using research findings for societal benefit, and ensuring transparency on data use through informed consent; (2) concerns about data reuse for purposes beyond the study's objectives, especially for financial gain, as well as concerns about method reliability, data quality, and privacy; (3) mitigative measures to minimize potential harm, such as through the involvement of external oversight committees; and (4) supportive measures encompassing communication strategies to raise awareness and inform the public about the use of their data for research purposes. Our findings suggest public support for digital research with publicly available data provided that specific expectations are met. Developing a framework for legitimate digital research with publicly available data is identified as a valuable next step, with a focus on broadening public awareness on digital research with publicly available data through nationwide communication campaigns and introducing relevant oversight measures to foster trust. Switzerland Artificial intelligence Digital research Publicly available data Qualitative research Trust Dewey 301 Dewey 150 Dewey 346.07 94 Département de droit commercial 5J 108 Section de psychologie 71 122 Département de sociologie T4 false 92b5673e-2bc4-485e-aa4a-0febd2e57af7 Digital Law Center Public understanding of science 34 8 820858d6-c384-435b-ba2f-a7fceb6d026d Article (Published version) Public daniore-et-al-2025-public-views-on-.pdf 463705 application/pdf CC BY-4.0 19c269846e6f3b5fa49f44e72bc99fa959a8caed086daa967fad366c4678ee59 openAccess Faculté de droit / Département de droit commercial Faculté de psychologie et des sciences de l'éducation / Section de psychologie Faculté des sciences de la société / Département de sociologie

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Public views on research with publicly available data in Switzerland: Implications for digital research, science communication, and policy	Public understanding of science			2025	15	480

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Haulotte, Manon Laurence L