What is a primary responsibility of social workers when engaged in evaluation of services?

Social workers have an ethical obligation to discuss and use collected information solely for professional purposes. This responsibility is grounded in the principles of confidentiality and respect for the dignity and rights of clients. By focusing on professional discourse, social workers ensure that the integrity of the evaluation process is upheld and that clients' privacy is safeguarded. This fosters trust between the social worker and their clients, essential for effective practice.

The other options do not align with these ethical standards. Sharing information with anyone interested undermines client confidentiality and can result in harm or distress to clients. Publishing data without consent disregards the clients' control over their own information and violates ethical guidelines regarding informed consent. Furthermore, maintaining participant anonymity is never optional in ethical practice; it is imperative to protect client identity and confidentiality at all times. These principles are central to building trust and ensuring ethical accountability in the profession.