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9.0—Behavior Analysts and Research
Chapter
13
9.0—Behavior Analysts and Research
Standards related to the research practices of behavior analysts developed in response to the morally questionable treatment of research participants. Most ethical issues involving research will not only be addressed within the Code but will also be overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) and state and federal laws. The ethical implications of research conducted by behavior analysts do not only impact those individuals or organizations who are the direct participants of the research procedure. Rather, when behavior-analytic studies are conducted, there is a concomitant impact on those individuals acting as research assistants, students, co-authors, and ultimately the community which accesses the research findings once published. As a result, behavior-analytic research has the potential for impacting and influencing a vast audience (Bailey & Burch, 2016).
A Workbook of Ethical Case Scenarios in Applied Behavior Analysis. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-815893-7.00013-7 © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
183
CASE 69: MAD SCIENTIST
Marco is accruing supervised experience hours toward his Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam under the direction of Dr. Stargyen at a local university. In addition to clinical and administrative services, Marco works as Dr. Stargyen’s research assistant. Most of the participants within Dr. Stargyen’s studies attend a specialized treatment clinic within the university. Dr. Stargyen is initiating a new study and has directed Marco to begin compiling baseline data with the selected participants. At a treatment team meeting for one of the participants, attended by the parents, Marco mentioned his data collection process for the study. The parents were very upset as they had no idea their son was involved in research while attending the treatment clinic. Marco was asked to meet with Dr. Stargyen later that day who stated that all the parents should know that their children will be involved in some type of research because they attend a specialized clinic at the university. Marco was told that if he speaks with a parent again about the research he can “find another supervisor” and that Dr. Stargyen would not be signing off on the supervision hours completed this month.
List all applicable ethics codes
Provide the rationale for the chosen code(s) and if you believe a violation has occurred
184
13. 9.0—Behavior Analysts and Research
Identify factors that may have led to the current scenario and strategies that could have prevented the scenario from occurring
Given the scenario, describe the ethical course of action moving forward (include potential risk factors and areas that may require continued monitoring)
Was Marco out of place discussing the research protocol with the parents of the learners who attend the university clinic?
Case 69: Mad Scientist
185
CASE 70: UNDUE INFLUENCE
Jiang is a BCBA with a primary focus on researching the effects of various intervention strategies on the reduction of challenging behavior. She received a large grant from a pharmaceutical company to review the effects of a well-regarded function-based treatment strategy in the reduction of challenging behavior for young adults prescribed a particular medication, as compared with those that are not prescribed any medication. Along with the details of her grant, Jiang received a message from the pharmaceutical company reminding her that, “This is an expensive study with a lot riding on this medication. We trust you will do the right thing for the company.”
List all applicable ethics codes
Provide the rationale for the chosen code(s) and if you believe a violation has occurred
186
13. 9.0—Behavior Analysts and Research
Identify factors that may have led to the current scenario and strategies that could have prevented the scenario from occurring
Given the scenario, describe the ethical course of action moving forward (include potential risk factors and areas that may require continued monitoring)
How might Jiang’s responsibility change if she did not receive the message from the company sponsoring the research?
Case 70: Undue Influence
187
CASE 71: UNFORTUNATE NEWS
Naomi is a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) providing services within the school setting. A student within Naomi’s class has come to school each day with several new bruises. Naomi and the classroom teacher discuss their concerns related to the student and determine, based on the bruises and some additional background information, that they have a reasonable suspicion that the child may be a victim of physical abuse. Naomi and the teacher have talked about their beliefs related to the abuse but have not discussed whether either of them would report the abuse to the proper authorities. Given that the teacher is ultimately responsible for the well-being of the classroom and holds greater authority, Naomi presumes that the teacher will make the abuse report.
List all applicable ethics codes
Provide the rationale for the chosen code(s) and if you believe a violation has occurred
188
13. 9.0—Behavior Analysts and Research
Identify factors that may have led to the current scenario and strategies that could have prevented the scenario from occurring
Given the scenario, describe the ethical course of action moving forward (include potential risk factors and areas that may require continued monitoring)
Do you agree with Naomi’s presumption? If not, why?
Case 71: Unfortunate News
189
What ethical obligation does Naomi have if she suspects child abuse?
Does Naomi have an ethical obligation to report the suspected child abuse even if the teacher has reported it?
190
13. 9.0—Behavior Analysts and Research
13
9.0—Behavior Analysts and Research
Standards related to the research practices of behavior analysts developed in response to the morally questionable treatment of research participants. Most ethical issues involving research will not only be addressed within the Code but will also be overseen by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) and state and federal laws. The ethical implications of research conducted by behavior analysts do not only impact those individuals or organizations who are the direct participants of the research procedure. Rather, when behavior-analytic studies are conducted, there is a concomitant impact on those individuals acting as research assistants, students, co-authors, and ultimately the community which accesses the research findings once published. As a result, behavior-analytic research has the potential for impacting and influencing a vast audience (Bailey & Burch, 2016).
A Workbook of Ethical Case Scenarios in Applied Behavior Analysis. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-815893-7.00013-7 © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
183
CASE 69: MAD SCIENTIST
Marco is accruing supervised experience hours toward his Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam under the direction of Dr. Stargyen at a local university. In addition to clinical and administrative services, Marco works as Dr. Stargyen’s research assistant. Most of the participants within Dr. Stargyen’s studies attend a specialized treatment clinic within the university. Dr. Stargyen is initiating a new study and has directed Marco to begin compiling baseline data with the selected participants. At a treatment team meeting for one of the participants, attended by the parents, Marco mentioned his data collection process for the study. The parents were very upset as they had no idea their son was involved in research while attending the treatment clinic. Marco was asked to meet with Dr. Stargyen later that day who stated that all the parents should know that their children will be involved in some type of research because they attend a specialized clinic at the university. Marco was told that if he speaks with a parent again about the research he can “find another supervisor” and that Dr. Stargyen would not be signing off on the supervision hours completed this month.
List all applicable ethics codes
Provide the rationale for the chosen code(s) and if you believe a violation has occurred
184
13. 9.0—Behavior Analysts and Research
Identify factors that may have led to the current scenario and strategies that could have prevented the scenario from occurring
Given the scenario, describe the ethical course of action moving forward (include potential risk factors and areas that may require continued monitoring)
Was Marco out of place discussing the research protocol with the parents of the learners who attend the university clinic?
Case 69: Mad Scientist
185
CASE 70: UNDUE INFLUENCE
Jiang is a BCBA with a primary focus on researching the effects of various intervention strategies on the reduction of challenging behavior. She received a large grant from a pharmaceutical company to review the effects of a well-regarded function-based treatment strategy in the reduction of challenging behavior for young adults prescribed a particular medication, as compared with those that are not prescribed any medication. Along with the details of her grant, Jiang received a message from the pharmaceutical company reminding her that, “This is an expensive study with a lot riding on this medication. We trust you will do the right thing for the company.”
List all applicable ethics codes
Provide the rationale for the chosen code(s) and if you believe a violation has occurred
186
13. 9.0—Behavior Analysts and Research
Identify factors that may have led to the current scenario and strategies that could have prevented the scenario from occurring
Given the scenario, describe the ethical course of action moving forward (include potential risk factors and areas that may require continued monitoring)
How might Jiang’s responsibility change if she did not receive the message from the company sponsoring the research?
Case 70: Undue Influence
187
CASE 71: UNFORTUNATE NEWS
Naomi is a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) providing services within the school setting. A student within Naomi’s class has come to school each day with several new bruises. Naomi and the classroom teacher discuss their concerns related to the student and determine, based on the bruises and some additional background information, that they have a reasonable suspicion that the child may be a victim of physical abuse. Naomi and the teacher have talked about their beliefs related to the abuse but have not discussed whether either of them would report the abuse to the proper authorities. Given that the teacher is ultimately responsible for the well-being of the classroom and holds greater authority, Naomi presumes that the teacher will make the abuse report.
List all applicable ethics codes
Provide the rationale for the chosen code(s) and if you believe a violation has occurred
188
13. 9.0—Behavior Analysts and Research
Identify factors that may have led to the current scenario and strategies that could have prevented the scenario from occurring
Given the scenario, describe the ethical course of action moving forward (include potential risk factors and areas that may require continued monitoring)
Do you agree with Naomi’s presumption? If not, why?
Case 71: Unfortunate News
189
What ethical obligation does Naomi have if she suspects child abuse?
Does Naomi have an ethical obligation to report the suspected child abuse even if the teacher has reported it?
190
13. 9.0—Behavior Analysts and Research