Professional Conduct

Professional conduct is strictly required at research sites. The research director will brief all personnel on what is proper conduct for a given site. In general, however, the following guidelines apply.

* Staff must observe client/patient privilege, privacy rights and be respectful of site personnel, and research subjects in particular, even if site persons do not show respect to WTRI staff including, but not limited to sexually offensive or other inappropriate language.

* Staff must not repeat the contents of interviews or conversations with site persons to other site persons. Pressure from site management to do so should be referred to the Researcher-in-Charge. Likewise, staff must not complain about or discuss either WTRI employees or site personnel with site personnel.

* The agreed upon ground rules regarding data security (the Researcher-in-Charge will brief you on these) must be strictly adhered to. Questions about proper handling of data or artifacts should be directed to the Research Director.

* Staff must resist all forms of social invitations from site personnel (and especially research subjects). The only exceptions are those clearly for the purposes of discussing the research and must have prior clearance from the Research Director. Dating and sexual activity with research subjects are strictly prohibited and are grounds for immediate termination.

* Gratuity offers must be reported immediately to WTRI.

Policy No.  282  Issued  4/2/2012  Applicable  4/2/2012