ABSTRACT
Conducting research in behavior analysis involves the most complex set
of requirements that can be found in these BACB® Guidelines. Some are
quite broad and include planning your research in such a way that the
findings will not be misused by others (Guideline 7.0 [a]) and be ethi-
cally acceptable by other researchers and presumably consumers as well
(Guideline 7.0 [e]). Others require the behavior analyst researcher to at-
tend to the fine details of debriefing (Guideline 7.11) and paying partici-
pants (Guideline 7.17). In the most general sense, this Guideline makes
it clear that “do no harm” is certainly the watchword of the applied be-
havioral researcher (Guideline 7.01 [b]), whether it involves carefully
supervising assistants (Guideline 7.0 [b]), obtaining informed consent
(Guideline 7.04), or later in the process, using the findings for instruc-
tive purposes (Guideline 7.02). Of course, the best protection against
harming participants is to always seek advanced approval of your local
Institutional Review Board (IRB; Guideline 7.0 [e]) and guidance via
peer consultation when designing your study; it goes without saying that
behavioral researchers will comply with state and Federal law (Guide-
line 7.03), obtain informed consent from participants (Guideline 7.04),
and inform them of how the data will be used (Guideline 7.06). It is in
the best interest of the behavior analysis researcher and the field if par-
ticipants are not only spared any harm but also treated as well as possible
while they are involved in any experiment (or therapy). Because most
applied behavioral research is conducted in the participant’s environ-
ment, the researcher has an obligation to avoid interfering as much as
possible and to only collect the data necessary for the study (Guideline
7.07). Participants should be ensured anonymity (Guideline 7.09), in-
formed that they can withdraw at any time (Guideline 7.10), and de-
briefed at the conclusion of the study (Guideline 7.11). Most behavioral
research does not involve any deception, but, if it is essential for the con-
duct of the study, and there are no alternatives, it is permissible as long it
does not involve any physical risk or adverse emotional experience
(Guideline 7.05 [a-c]). Behavior analysts using animals in their research
must comply with the Federal Animal Welfare Act (1990) and assure
that the animals are treated humanely (Guideline 7.20).
