Institutional Review Boards
From ElateWiki
As faculty have gone online to teach, they are finding that their experiences may result in publishable insights. Some faculty find that their approaches to e-learning have special value in their own subject matter domains, for example. They may have ideas for surveys or social (or other) experiments. The next step in this process would likely involve proposing the research formally to an institutional review board (IRB).
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The Functions of an IRB
The functions of an IRB are to provide some oversight on research that may deal with "human subjects" . This work protects participants as well as faculty researchers and students. The steps to getting IRB approval usually involve the completion of a form that allows the researcher to propose the research and to describe it in depth. There are questions about the funding sources, potential conflict of interest, methodologies, and anticipated effects on potential human subjects. If the information is incomplete, the person or team proposing the research will be asked for more information.
The IRB members then review the proposed research in depth. If there are concerns about the research, a committee may be called to discuss possible implications. Some research may be found to be "exempt," which means that the concern level about that particular research is very low.
A preliminary decision is forwarded to the administrator, who then signs off to signify approval of the research.
Potential Areas of Concern
The IRB will examine potential unintended consequences of research. They will follow ethical guidelines in assessing the research.
Sensitivities may deal with issues of human vulnerabilities. Any sort of deception in the research will bring more attention. Potential health impacts will raise concerns. Potential psychological or emotional impacts will also be considered.
Also, how the information will be handled and how individual participants' privacy will be considered as well.
More complex research that deals with sensitive research or hazardous materials undergo even stricter oversight.
Why Go through the IRB?
Researchers may be so close to their proposed research that they may have a hard time analyzing the various complex ethical considerations.
First, it's important to adhere to the relevant law(s) when conducting research. It's also school policy. Second, it helps to have legal cover before doing research work. Third, it helps to have another set of eyes on the research to see where the challenges are, and where there may be misunderstandings about the approaches. Fourth, IRB personnel tend to have plenty of experiences with research, and their insights may enhance the ultimate outcomes.
Questions and ideas from the IRB will enhance the "informed consent" materials as well. And oftentimes, that consent should include contact information back to the IRB office in case there are concerns or questions.
Solid research requires clear provenance of information. Going through the IRB will help shed light on where the information comes from...and potentially how to surface that information without harm to others and without bias.
Quick Turnarounds
Universities' IRBs strive to offer thorough assessments and quick turnarounds on the work, contrary to what some may expect.
See Also
K-State University Research Compliance Office: http://urco.ksu.edu/