Conduct at Research Sites

WTRI research and data collection is conducted mainly at research sites and not in WTRI offices. The same is true for most training activities. Special codes of conduct apply to these sites such as observing client/patient privilege, and privacy rights which shall not be violated. An employee who violates or breaches any such rights may be subject to any lawful action which the client and/or WTRI deem appropriate, and shall indemnify WTRI from any and all claims or causes of action from the client or any other party.

Typically, only relatively senior or experienced staff do on-sight data collection. In all cases, staff visits to research sites are always at the discretion of the Senior Research Associate or the Research Director responsible for the research being conducted at that site. Staff may not make independent arrangements for visits to the site. A particular staff person may not be included in site visits and no reason is required to be given by the WTRI researcher in charge.

Likewise, the site personnel may request that a particular WTRI person not be allowed to conduct site visits or interact directly with their employees. Again, no reason is required.

Policy No.  781  Issued  9/18/1998