Readers will notice that the term research subjects
used in the 1995 Code of Ethics and Standards of
Practice has been replaced with the term research
participants, meant to be more inclusive and less
clinically detached. This section provides guidance to
counselors in the appropriate handling of records during
the research process, informed consent with research
participants, and confidentiality of people involved with
research projects. Although research is often conducted
by faculty members of counselor education programs,
there are counselors practicing in a variety of settings
who also engage in research. According to new Standard
G.1.c., when these “independent researchers do not have
access to an Institutional Review Board (IRB),” they
have an ethical obligation “to consult with researchers
who are familiar with IRB procedures to provide
appropriate safeguards” for research participants.
Section G also addresses issues related to publication.
There is a new standard specifically stating that
counselors do not plagiarize the work of others
(Standard G.5.b.). In addition, Standard G.4.e. from the
1995 Code, which addressed the professional review
of material submitted for publication, has been
expanded in the new Standard G.5.h.