*e-9 Behavior analysts and research

Behavior analysts have the responsibility to conduct research in an ethical and professional manner. This code of ethics sets out the BACB's expectations for behavior analysts in their research.

Synopsis of each point

9.01 Compliance with laws and regulations

• Behavior analysts must comply with all applicable laws and regulations, as well as professional standards governing research.

• This includes complying with informed consent, confidentiality and data protection requirements.

9.02 Characteristics of responsible research

• Behavior analysts must conduct research that is beneficial to society and does not cause harm to participants.

• To do this, they must follow the following principles:

• Competency: Behavior analysts must have the skills and knowledge necessary to conduct research appropriately.

• Participant Welfare: Behavior analysts must protect the well-being of participants and minimize the potential risks of research.

• Conflicts of interest: Behavior analysts must avoid conflicts of interest that could bias their results.

9.03 Informed consent

• Behavior analysts must obtain informed consent from participants before beginning research.

• Informed consent must be clear and concise, and must explain the following aspects of the research:

• The nature of the research

• The potential risks and benefits of participation

• The right to participate, refuse to participate, or withdraw from the research at any time

9.04 Use of confidential information

• Behavior analysts must protect the confidentiality of participants.

• This means that they should not reveal personally identifiable information about participants without their consent.

9.05 Report

• Behavior analysts must inform participants of the results of the research.

• This report should be clear and concise, and should explain the key findings of the investigation.

9.06 Scholarship and journal reviews

• Behavior analysts who are grant or journal reviewers should avoid participating in research they have reviewed.

• This is because they may have a conflict of interest, as they may be familiar with the research results before they are published.

9.07 Plagiarism

• Behavior analysts must properly cite the work of others.

• This means that they must clearly identify the source of any information or data they use in their research.

9.08 Recognition of contributions

• Behavior analysts must recognize the contributions of others to their research.

• This means that they must include other authors in the publication of their research if they have contributed significantly.

9.09 Accuracy and use of data

• Behavior analysts must use accurate and reliable data in their research.

• If they discover errors in the data, they must correct them or retract their findings.

Conclusion

This code of ethics is important to ensure that behavior analysis research is conducted in an ethical and professional manner. Behavior analysts must adhere to these standards to protect participants and the integrity of the profession.