Ethical Issues in Sandplay Research

Abstract

The growing interest in sandplay research suggests the need to examine the ethical issues that may accompany such investigations. This chapter addresses the general ethical principles that govern research involving human participants, with reference to the ethical codes of various mental health professions. Ethical research in sandplay requires that the therapist-researcher ensure that the research procedures, including the informed consent and enrollment processes, reflect the ethical principles of respect for persons, beneficence nonmaleficence, and justice. In so doing, the investigator must provide the prospective participant with information sufficient and adequate to permit him or her to decide whether to participate and minimize any associated risks to the prospective participant both during and after the conclusion of the research. The therapist-researcher is also challenged to assess whether there exist any conflicts of interests in pursuing the research and whether he or she is competent to conduct the contemplated research. Situations in which the therapist-researcher is providing therapy in addition to conducting the research may demand more intensive supervision of the researching therapist. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: book)