Towards ethical decision-making in counselling research

This paper explores the process of ethical decision-making in counselling r esearch and asks the question: after following ethical guidelines, reviewin g ethical principles and consulting codes of practice, to what extent is ou r decision-making based on intuitive thinking? The paper begins by examinin g Kitchener's model of ethical justification and the ethical principles upo n which it rests. Bond's approach to ethical problem-solving is also consid ered. The second part of the paper explores the sequential decision-making process suggested by Gellatt, upon which both the Kitchener and Bond models seem to rest, and compares this with Gellatt's later revision of his model . The process by which we arrive at an ethical decision is then explored in relation to these. The final part of the paper argues that we reach ethica l decisions through intuition, informed by ethical principles, codes of pra ctice and reference to the laws of society. In order to safeguard the well- being of our clients and/or research participants, we need to be aware of t his and offer up our decision-making process to the scrutiny of peers and t he public at large. Although much of the paper explores this process at a g eneral level, research undertaken into children's perception of stress will be used as an example.