Conducting Socially Responsible and Ethical Counter Influence Operations Research: A Practical Guide for Researchers and Practitioners

Abstract

In today's world, domestic and foreign Influence Operations (IO) campaigns of misinformation and disinformation are increasingly being channeled through digital and social media platforms to divide, deceive, and create unrest. Effective approaches to responding to IO campaigns depend on targeted research into novel and agile methods and techniques for countering them. Yet research into Counter Influence Operations (CIO) requires a sophisticated understanding of the associated landscape around ethical and responsible research if it is to avoid being stymied by ethical mis-steps, and to be effective and impactful. The US Government recognizes the challenges of Grey Zone Warfare (GZW) and the need to counter the effects of IO. However, there are also institutional challenges to conducting research in this domain. With the appropriate guidance on socially responsible and ethical research, academic and government research institutions are uniquely positioned to conduct unbiased, innovative and actionable research and development in support of effective CIO. This position paper specifically addresses the need for such guidelines.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 27, 2022
Accession Number
AD1221500

Entities

People

  • Amna Greaves
  • Andrew Maynard
  • Cassian Corey
  • K. H. Kwon
  • Marissa Scragg
  • Mark Kozar

Organizations

  • Arizona State University
  • MIT Lincoln Laboratory

Tags

Readers

  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.
  • Systems Analysis and Design