Section 514-8-A-9 - ResearchThe counselor recognizes that research activities must be conducted with full respect for the rights and dignity of participants and with full concern for their welfare. Participation in research must be voluntary unless it can be demonstrated that involuntary participation will have no harmful effects on the subjects and is essential to the investigation. The ultimate responsibility for ethical research lies with the principal researcher.
Misconduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:
1. Failing to consider carefully the possible consequences for human beings participating in the research;2. Failing to protect each research participant from unwarranted physical, emotional and mental harm;3. Failing to ascertain that the consent of the research participant is voluntary and informed; Counselors who conduct research must abide by the following basic elements of informed consent:
A. Providing the client with a fair explanation of the procedures to be followed;B. Providing the client with a description of the risks;C. Providing the client with a description of the benefits;D. Informing the client that he or she is free to withdraw his or her consent at any time during the research;4. Failing to treat information obtained through research as confidential;5. Knowingly reporting distorted, erroneous, or misleading information; and6. Failing to be familiar with and give recognition to previous work when conducting and reporting research.02-514 C.M.R. ch. 8, § A-9