We are pleased to share that our research protocol, “Protocol for a modified Delphi study of ethical oversight of data science health research (DSHR),” has been published in BMJ Open. This work is now available in full text via PubMed Central (PMCID: PMC12682200).
This article outlines the design and methodology of a modified e-Delphi study aimed at building consensus among Nigerian and international stakeholders on ethical oversight for data science health research — a rapidly evolving field that presents novel ethical, legal, and social challenges. The study will engage experts in health research, ethics committee members, data scientists, and policymakers to validate a draft guideline addressing key governance principles including trust, algorithmic bias, privacy, data governance, and equitable benefit-sharing, tailored to the Nigerian context.
By using an iterative Delphi approach, this work seeks to generate stakeholder-informed recommendations that can inform ethical governance frameworks for data-intensive health research in resource-limited settings. We hope this protocol will support rigorous and contextually appropriate ethical oversight that balances innovation with participant protection and equitable research practice.
Read the full protocol at BMJ Open: [DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-105799].
