Ethical Supervision Case Analysis

Ethical Supervision Case Analysis

Assignment Summary

Purpose: In this assignment, you will analyze an ethical supervision scenario and explain how the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts applies to the supervisor’s professional responsibilities. The assignment is designed to help you demonstrate ethical decision-making, code application, and professional reasoning related to supervision, feedback, documentation, and trainee development.

Start Here

1. Read the case scenario.
2. Review the current BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts, especially Section 4: Responsibility to Supervisees and Trainees.
3. Identify why the situation raises ethical concerns.
4. Select at least three relevant Ethics Code standards and explain how each applies.
5. Develop a clear, code-aligned process for addressing and resolving the supervision concern.
6. Review the rubric and checklist before submitting your paper.

Tip: Expand the sections below by clicking on the heading. Click again to collapse the section.

Assignment Overview

For this assignment, you will write a short APA-style paper that analyzes a supervision-related ethics scenario involving an RBT accruing supervised experience toward BCBA certification. The supervisee reports that she is rarely observed while working directly with learners and receives generally positive but nonspecific feedback. Although she has asked her supervisor for more detailed guidance about how to improve and develop the expected supervised experience competencies, the current supervision arrangement does not appear to be meeting her training needs.

Your paper should explain why this situation raises ethical issues, identify and apply relevant BACB Ethics Code standards, and recommend a structured process for addressing the concern. Your analysis should focus on the ethical responsibilities of the supervising behavior analyst, including supervision requirements, performance monitoring, feedback, documentation, accountability, and the supervisee’s professional development.

Source note: The scenario is adapted for educational use from Sush, D., & Najdowski, A. C. (2022). A workbook of ethical case scenarios in applied behavior analysis (2nd ed.). Academic Press. Use the course-provided case information and the current BACB Ethics Code to complete your analysis.

Assignment Instructions

Write a minimum 3-page paper, not including the title or reference pages, in APA format that addresses each of the following components:

1. Ethical Issue Analysis: Explain why the situation raises ethical concerns. Consider how limited observation, nonspecific feedback, inadequate performance monitoring, and unclear supervision procedures may affect supervisee development, client welfare, and the integrity of supervised experience hours.
2. Ethics Code Identification and Application: Identify at least three relevant BACB Ethics Code standards, including the code numbers and titles. For each code, explain what the standard requires and how it applies to the facts of the scenario.
3. Recommended Ethical Response: Describe the steps or process that should be implemented to address and resolve the issue. Your response should include a complete description of how an ethical supervisory relationship should be structured, including direct observation, performance monitoring, behavior-specific feedback, documentation, evaluation of supervisor capacity, and continuity of supervision if changes are needed.

Required Format:

• Submit as a Word document.
• Use Times New Roman, 12-point font.
• Paper length should be a minimum 3 pages, not including the title or reference page, but no more than 5 pages.
• Use APA 7th edition formatting, including title page or appropriate heading, in-text citations, and a reference list.
• Include a heading on the first page with the course number and name, program name, assignment title, assignment number, your name, and date.
• Cite and reference the current BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts.

AI Use Disclosure

If you used AI tools in any part of this assignment, you must submit the required form and follow the course AI policy.

• Student AI Declaration Form: Click here to access the AI Use Declaration Form
• AI Policy: Click here to review the Policy on the Ethical Use of AI
• AI Guidelines: Click here to review the Guidelines for Students on the Ethical Use of AI in Coursework

Note: Failure to submit this form when required may result in grade penalties.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Common Pitfalls to Avoid (Read Before You Start)

• Only summarizing the scenario: A brief summary is helpful, but the paper must analyze why the situation is ethically concerning.
• Listing codes without application: Explain how each code applies to Bernadette’s supervision practices and Misty’s supervised experience.
• Using outdated or incorrect code numbers: Use the current BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts and include accurate code numbers and titles.
• Overlooking direct observation: The concern is not only that feedback is positive or vague; the lack of direct observation and performance monitoring is central.
• Ignoring documentation: Ethical supervision includes accurate documentation of supervision activities, formal feedback, competency goals, and supervision changes.
• Offering vague recommendations: Recommendations should be specific, practical, and connected to the Ethics Code.
• Focusing only on Misty: The primary ethical responsibility rests with the supervising behavior analyst.
• Missing APA requirements: Include in-text citations and a complete reference list entry for the BACB Ethics Code.