Avoiding False or Deceptive Statements by Behavior Analyst
(a) Behavior analysts do not make public statements that are false, deceptive, misleading, exaggerated, or fraudulent, either because of what they state, convey, or suggest or because of what they omit, concerning their research, practice, or other work activities or those of persons or organizations with which they are affiliated. Behavior analysts claim as credentials for their behavior-analytic work, only degrees that were primarily or exclusively behavior-analytic in content.
(b) Behavior analysts do not implement non-behavior-analytic interventions. Non-behavior-analytic services may only be provided within the context of non-behavior-analytic education, formal training, and credentialing. Such services must be clearly distinguished from their behavior-analytic practices and BACB certification by using the following disclaimer: “These interventions are not behavior-analytic in nature and are not covered by my BACB credential.” The disclaimer should be placed alongside the names and descriptions of all non-behavior-analytic interventions.
(c) Behavior analysts do not advertise non-behavior-analytic services as being behavior-analytic. (d) Behavior analysts do not identify non-behavior-analytic services as behavior-analytic services on
bills, invoices, or requests for reimbursement. (e) Behavior analysts do not implement non-behavior-analytic services under behavior-analytic service
authorizations.
8.02 Intellectual Property.
(a) Behavior analysts obtain permission to use trademarked or copyrighted materials as required by law. This includes providing citations, including trademark or copyright symbols on materials, that recognize the intellectual property of others.
(b) Behavior analysts give appropriate credit to authors when delivering lectures, workshops, or other presentations.
8.03 Statements by Others.
(a) Behavior analysts who engage others to create or place public statements that promote their professional practice, products, or activities retain professional responsibility for such statements.
(b) Behavior analysts make reasonable efforts to prevent others whom they do not oversee (e.g.,
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employers, publishers, sponsors, organizational clients, and representatives of the print or broadcast media) from making deceptive statements concerning behavior analysts’ practices or professional or scientific activities.
(c) If behavior analysts learn of deceptive statements about their work made by others, behavior analysts correct such statements.
(d) A paid advertisement relating to behavior analysts’ activities must be identified as such, unless it is apparent from the context.
8.04 Media Presentations and Media-Based Services.
(a) Behavior analysts using electronic media (e.g., video, e-learning, social media, electronic transmission of information) obtain and maintain knowledge regarding the security and limitations of electronic media in order to adhere to this Code.
(b) Behavior analysts making public statements or delivering presentations using electronic media do not disclose personally identifiable information concerning their clients, supervisees, students, research participants, or other recipients of their services that they obtained during the course of their work, unless written consent has been obtained.
(c) Behavior analysts delivering presentations using electronic media disguise confidential information concerning participants, whenever possible, so that they are not individually identifiable to others and so that discussions do not cause harm to identifiable participants.
(d) When behavior analysts provide public statements, advice, or comments by means of public lectures, demonstrations, radio or television programs, electronic media, articles, mailed material, or other media, they take reasonable precautions to ensure that (1) the statements are based on appropriate behavior-analytic literature and practice, (2) the statements are otherwise consistent with this Code, and (3) the advice or comment does not create an agreement for service with the recipient.
8.05 Testimonials and Advertising.
Behavior analysts do not solicit or use testimonials about behavior-analytic services from current clients for publication on their webpages or in any other electronic or print material. Testimonials from former clients must identify whether they were solicited or unsolicited, include an accurate statement of the relationship between the behavior analyst and the author of the testimonial, and comply with all applicable laws about claims made in the testimonial.
Behavior analysts may advertise by describing the kinds and types of evidence-based services they provide, the qualifications of their staff, and objective outcome data they have accrued or published, in accordance with applicable laws.
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8.06 In-Person Solicitation.
Behavior analysts do not engage, directly or through agents, in uninvited in-person solicitation of business from actual or potential users of services who, because of their particular circumstances, are vulnerable to undue influence. Organizational behavior management or performance management services may be marketed to corporate entities regardless of their projected financial position.
9.0 Behavior Analysts and Research.
Behavior analysts design, conduct, and report research in accordance with recognized standards of scientific competence and ethical research.
9.01 Conforming with Laws and Regulations.
Behavior analysts plan and conduct research in a manner consistent with all applicable laws and regulations, as well as professional standards governing the conduct of research. Behavior analysts also comply with other applicable laws and regulations relating to mandated-reporting requirements.
9.02 Characteristics of Responsible Research.
(a) Behavior analysts conduct research only after approval by an independent, formal research review board.
(b) Behavior analysts conducting applied research conjointly with provision of clinical or human services must comply with requirements for both intervention and research involvement by client- participants. When research and clinical needs conflict, behavior analysts prioritize the welfare of the client.
(c) Behavior analysts conduct research competently and with due concern for the dignity and welfare of the participants.
(d) Behavior analysts plan their research so as to minimize the possibility that results will be misleading. (e) Researchers and assistants are permitted to perform only those tasks for which they are
appropriately trained and prepared. Behavior analysts are responsible for the ethical conduct of research conducted by assistants or by others under their supervision or oversight.
(f) If an ethical issue is unclear, behavior analysts seek to resolve the issue through consultation with independent, formal research review boards, peer consultations, or other proper mechanisms.
(g) Behavior analysts only conduct research independently after they have successfully conducted research under a supervisor in a defined relationship (e.g., thesis, dissertation, specific research project).
(h) Behavior analysts conducting research take necessary steps to maximize benefit and minimize risk to their clients, supervisees, research participants, students, and others with whom they work.
(i) Behavior analysts minimize the effect of personal, financial, social, organizational, or political factors