Research Ethics in Behavior Analysis: A Comprehensive Guide

As a behavior analyst, understanding research ethics is crucial when conducting, supervising, or consuming research in the field of behavior analysis. The behavior analytic research community emphasizes within-subject research methodologies, which allows practitioners to replicate research findings directly, ensuring the efficacy of their work with clients.

The book, “Research Ethics in Behavior Analysis: From Laboratory to Clinic and Classroom,” written by David J. Cox, serves as a reference guide for behavior analysts. This comprehensive resource follows the natural research process, covering essential topics such as:

• The history of research ethics and its modern principles and values
• Obtaining resources to support a research project
• Participant recruitment and conducting the study
• Communicating results, including approaches to sharing negative and positive findings
• Supporting replication and generalization of research findings

What sets this book apart is its incorporation of critical and under-discussed topics unique to research ethics in behavior analysis, including:

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion in the research process
• Balancing methodological rigor with clinical outcomes
• Aligning research and clinical goals
• The gray lines of assent and consent for intervention versus research
• Identifying and obtaining resources to support research
• Conflicts of interest and ethically handling data
• The role of technology and social media in research

By exploring these essential topics, “Research Ethics in Behavior Analysis” provides behavior analysts with a thorough understanding of the ethical considerations involved in research, enabling them to conduct studies that are both methodologically sound and socially responsible.

Published by Elsevier Science in November 2022, this book is an invaluable resource for behavior analysts worldwide. With its comprehensive approach and in-depth exploration of critical topics, it is an essential addition to any behavior analyst’s library.

ISBN: 9780323909693 (Hardback) | 9780323909709 (E-book)