Research Ethics for Behavior Analysts in Practice
Running single-case research on your own clients is fine if you treat it like two jobs, not one.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Normand et al. (2023) wrote a how-to guide for BCBAs who test new ideas with their own clients.
The paper lists the exact steps you need so you do not mix up the job of therapist with the job of researcher.
What they found
The authors found that single-case studies on your own clients create three big risks.
You can harm the client, you can blur roles, and you can skip real consent.
They give checklists to keep you safe and keep the client safe.
How this fits with other research
Sajwaj (1977) saw this problem coming. That paper warned that any rule can block good ideas if it is too stiff. Normand et al. (2023) answers by giving soft, step-by-step tools instead of hard bans.
Fiebig et al. (2020) tells you to care for yourself so you can stay ethical under stress. Normand et al. (2023) adds that caring for yourself also means asking a second pair of eyes to review your study plan.
Jaramillo et al. (2022) shows how to track your own hidden bias. Normand et al. (2023) uses the same self-mind set: watch your own moves and write them down before you run a client study.
Why it matters
If you run A-B-A tests at your clinic, you now have a short checklist to stay on the right side of the ethics code. Hand it to your supervisor, post it by your desk, and use it each time you plan a new phase.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
Behavior analysts in practice have an advantage over many others in the helping professions—they have at their disposal a robust science of behavior change informed primarily by single-case experimental research designs. This is advantageous because the research literature is focused on individual behavior change and has direct relevance to behavior analysts who need to change the behavior of individuals in need. Also, the same experimental designs used to advance the basic and applied sciences can be used to evaluate and refine specific procedures as they are put into practice. Thus, behavior-analytic research and practice are often intertwined. However, when behavior analysts in practice conduct research and use their own clients as participants, several important ethical issues need to be considered. Research with human participants is subject to careful ethical oversight, but the ethical guidelines that have been developed are usually described in terms of research conducted by nonpractitioners working in universities or institutions. This article focuses on several areas of special concern when conducting research in practice settings, including dual relationships and conflicts of interest, obtaining informed consent, and using ethical review panels.
Behavior Analysis in Practice, 2023 · doi:10.1007/s40617-022-00698-5