PROFESSIONALISM
4. Research participants are individuals with valuable knowledge
and life experiences.

Research brings us in contact with many different kinds of people. For example, you might meet people who use drugs, have sex for pay or are homeless. You do not have to approve of how people live their lives. But you are responsible for treating the people you meet with respect:

• Do not look surprised or disapproving.
• Be aware of your body language and remain neutral.
• Do not make participants embarrassed or humiliated about what they tell you.
• Respect each person’s experience, skills and dignity.

This is the ethical approach. It helps us learn from everyone.

Let research participants know that we value them and the information they give us. Without them, we can’t do our work.

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