The professional code of ethics necessary for the work on a new strategy through implementing change to the Indian Creek Foundation should focus on a range of issues. The well-designed code of ethics should meet the criteria of credibility, being based on experience, including skills and knowledge, which a researcher obtained during previous projects or relevant scientific developments. The ethical conduct should use the adequate and achievable resources needed to implement the planned changes.
The strong ability to control the implementation of change should also be achieved in terms of the generic theory of change (Mayne, 2015). In other words, it is important to develop a comprehensive system of indicators that will allow implementing the project successfully and anticipating the potential outcomes.
Some ethical challenges may occur while collecting the required data to identify the needs and other peculiarities of the organization. The question of the so-called informed consent of people participating in research is complicated. On the one hand, respect for individual rights requires that a person should be aware of what will be observed or his or her role in the study (Homan, 2016). At this point, some spheres of life are rather personal, and the unauthorized interference with them is unacceptable. On the other hand, knowledge of informants about the participation in the experiment violates the essence and transparency of the project. In this connection, a researcher is expected to be attentive to the needs and views of respondents, avoiding deception of any kind.
As noted by the National Organization for Human Services (n.d.), ethics in social science involves the appliance to the fundamental ethical principles in various areas of scientific research, such as planning, conducting, and reporting concerning human subjects, appropriate publications, and various aspects of misconduct in research. In case it is difficult to specify the ways of implementing the code of ethics, it is possible to “consult with other counselors, the ACA Ethics and Professional Standards Department, or related professional” (American Counseling Association, 2014, para. 20).
The following aspects are to be integrated into the identified project: honesty, objectivity, competence, conscientiousness, openness, respect for participants and intellectual property, the safety of respondents, prevention of discrimination, and social responsibility.
The professional code of ethics should focus on the principle of responsibility. A researcher should remember about his or her professional and scholarly obligations to participants, the professional community, and society as a whole. It is critical to strive to avoid harm, be responsible for the actions taken, and also ensure that participants are not abused. The decision to carry out a research project or intervention presupposes a researcher’s responsibility for possible scientific and social consequences, including the impact on individuals, groups, and organizations involved in research or intervention as well as an indirect effect, such as the impact of the study and its results on public opinion and development of ideas about social values (Homan, 2016).
It is necessary to be aware of the specifics of the interaction with participants. The resulting responsibility is particularly great in case of communication with persons who suffer from drug dependence or those who are limited in their actions as test subjects or clients. Due to their vulnerability, the disabled population presents specific needs and, thus, should be treated accordingly yet in terms of a researcher’s professional code of ethics.
References
American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA code of ethics. Web.
Homan, M. S. (2016). Promoting community change: Making it happen in the real world (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage.
Mayne, J. J. (2015). Useful theory of change models. The Canadian Journal of Program Evaluation, 30(2), 119–142.
National Organization for Human Services. (n.d.). Ethical standards for human service professionals. Web.