1. Ethics and Values in Social Work Research
Jacqueline Corcoran, Ph.D.
Research in Clinical Social Work Practice
School of Social Work, VCU

2. Background
• The federal government mandates policies and
procedures related to research through the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Resources, Office for
Human Research Protections
– Establishment of IRB’s at universities and other
organizations
• National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics
– , ethical standard 5.01 under “Social Workers’
Ethical Responsibilities to the Social Work Profession
• rights is for potential study participants to decide
freely and without consequence to become
involved with the study and to be so informed of
this right.

3. Ethics and values section of
project
• Many student projects are based on data
already collected.
• No informed consent
• Discuss how you will protect identity of
participants no matter the project

4. Discuss Risks
• What are the risks to participants?
• Commonly, that they may become emotionally
distressed due to participation
• Include names and other resources in case this
should happen
• What steps will you take to reduce risks?

5. Discuss Benefits
• What are the potential benefits to
participants, the agency, and the field?
• Can’t make statements that it will benefit the field
if no IRB process

6. Informed Consent
• Instructor name (Dr. Jacqueline Corcoran) and contact
information (school address, 703.405.3254, jcorcora@vcu.edu
• Explain that this research is part of a graduate research
requirement in Research in Clinical Social Work Practice,
School of Social Work, VCU

7. Children
• Can’t give consent, only assent
• Parents need to give consent
• Especially for student projects, can do “opt out” option for
parents. This also takes care of not having to keep documents
with their names on them.

8. The process of doing Informed
Consent
• Where and when will consent be
completed?
• How have you attended to the special
needs of clients?
• Language
• literacy
• Mobility

9. IRB
Exempt
Expedited
Full Review

10. Details
• Instructor is the PI
• Conflict of interest form
• Can’t change anything from the protocol outlined
• Social/Behavioral
• No multiple sites
• No research coordinator