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In social science research, issues of research ethics, informed consent, and research protocols often arise, and research of Wikipedia is no exception. Rules and laws established after controversial studies like the Milgram experiment and Stanford prison experiment require researchers to design their studies such that they do no harm to participants.
Researchers are expected to adhere to professional codes of ethics. Where required, they may also need to obtain permission to carry out research of Wikipedia editors from appropriate bodies at their research institutions.