Law and Ethics Practice Exam

What is advised for counselors conducting research regarding confidentiality?

1. Disguise participants unless they have authorization

2. Disclose all information to the public

3. Use participants' real names in publications

4. Only collect data without obtaining consent

The correct answer is: Disguise participants unless they have authorization

When counselors conduct research, confidentiality is a critical ethical principle that protects the privacy of participants. An important aspect of confidentiality involves ensuring that participants' identities and sensitive information are safeguarded unless explicit permission is obtained. Disguising participants, which often entails using pseudonyms or other methods to anonymize data, helps maintain this confidentiality and allows participants to contribute information without fear of their identities being revealed. This approach fosters trust and encourages honest responses, ultimately leading to more reliable and valid research outcomes. In contrast, disclosing all information to the public violates the ethical obligation to protect participant confidentiality. Using participants' real names in publications similarly compromises their privacy and can deter individuals from participating in research studies. Finally, collecting data without obtaining consent disregards the fundamental ethical principle of respect for persons and undermines the integrity of the research process. Thus, the approach of disguising participants, provided that they have not authorized the use of their identifiable information, aligns with ethical standards and best practices in research.