External IRBs*

I am sure that you are aware that you must submit an application to Walden's Institutional Review Board (IRB; see 5/10 post) for your study. Depending upon your study design, you may need to get permission from other IRBs or organizational gatekeepers. If you are working with another institution, for example a college, prison, military, or hospital you may need to work through their IRB.  

If your design includes another institution, begin your discussions early and find out their requirements. Often they will want you to secure Walden's ok before they review it. However, any guidelines will be helpful to you in understanding the procedures you must follow.  

If you are considering working with children, elderly, ill patients, prison, or military populations be aware that these are considered protected populations and special care must be taken. Prisons and the military are often very difficult to conduct research in, so be prepared for a long battle to secure approvals. A similar dilemma is faced for accessing Native Americans living on reservations through the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Plan ahead for paperwork and dealing with bureaucracies. 

A few tips for approaching such entities, always be professional. It may become very frustrating but keep your cool; they are protecting their populations. There may be a ridiculous amount of redundant paperwork, but carefully fill each out and submit by the time indicated. This is not a time to show your independence! Keep a record of whom you talk to, the date of the conversation, and what was discussed. Keep all emails, in case they are needed later. One of the hallmarks of bureaucracies is being shuffled from person to person, so protect yourself with good records. 

*My thanks to Susan, for suggesting this topic Next time we will look at pilot testing. Do you have an issue or a question that you would like me to discuss in a future post? Would you like to be a guest writer? Send me your ideas! Send me an email with your ideas. leann.stadtlander@waldenu.edu