Blog Index, January 2014

2014, Current to 1/31

Topic	Dates of Posts
Dissertation, general
Selecting a Topic
Organization
Committee Members
URR
Center for Research Quality
Overview of Process
Premise
Proposal
Research questions
C. 1
C. 2 (literature related)
C. 3	1/3, 1/6, 1/13
Defense
IRB	1/10, 1/15, 1/17, 1/20, 1/22, 1/24, 1/27, 1/29
Data Collection
Quantitative	1/3,
Qualitative	1/6
Mixed Methods	1/3, 1/6
C. 4
C. 5
Final Defense
Career
Goal Form
Motivation	1/1
Secondary Data
Support, Getting
Writing
Other

2013

Topic	Dates of Posts
Dissertation, general	7/5, 8/16, 8/19, 9/27, 10/2
Selecting a Topic	4/23, 7/8, 7/10
Organization	4/22, 10/2
Committee Members	4/17, 5/3, 6/10, 7/19, 8/21
URR	5/8, 5/27
Center for Research Quality	12/9
Overview of Process	4/19, 9/18, 12/13
Premise	4/17, 9/6
Proposal	4/22, 9/9
Research questions	10/9
C. 1	5/6, 10/21, 10/23, 10/25, 10/28, 11/1
C. 2 (literature related)	4/26, 5/29, 6/3, 6/12, 6/17, 6/28, 9/16, 10/11, 11/4, 11/6, 11/9, 11/15
C. 3	5/1, 10/16, 10/28, 11/18, 11/20, 11/22, 11/25, 12/2, 12/4, 12/6, 12/11, 12/16, 12/18, 12/20, 12/23, 12/27
Defense	4/23, 5/8
IRB	5/10, 10/14
Data Collection	5/13, 5/15, 10/16
Quantitative	5/17, 7/24, 7/26, 7/29, 7/31, 8/2, 8/5, 10/4, 10/7, 11/20, 12/2, 12/4, 12/6, 12/18, 12/23, 12/27
Qualitative	5/20, 11/20, 11/22, 11/25, 12/11, 12/16
Mixed Methods	5/22, 11/18, 11/20, 11/22, 11/25, 12/11, 12/20, 12/23, 12/27
C. 4	517, 5/20, 5/22, 7/17
C. 5	5/24, 9/20, 10/11
Final Defense	4/23, 5/27/ 9/11
Career	7/12
Goal Form	8/12
Motivation	6/5, 6/26, 7/1, 8/16, 8/23, 9/2, 9/18, 10/18, 11/8, 11/27
Secondary Data	5/31
Support, Getting	4/26, 6/5, 6/24, 8/16
Writing	4/26, 4/29, 6/12, 6/21, 7/3, 8/9, 8/14, 9/4, 9/23,9/25
Other	4/18, 6/7, 6/14, 6/19, 6/24, 6/26, 7/1, 7/8, 7/15, 7/19, 7/22, 8/7, 8/16, 8/19, 8/26, 8/28, 8/30, 9/2, 9/13, 9/18, 10/18, 11/27, 12/13, 12/25

 Next time we will continue examining the IRB application, with q. 34-36. 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! leann.stadtlander@waldenu.edu 

IRB application, q. 32-33

Today we are going to examine q. 32-33 of the IRB application which is concerned with Protected Health Information. Let's start with what is considered protected health information: 

*Protected Health Information (PHI) is defined under HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) as health information transmitted or maintained in any form or medium that: 

A. identifies or could be used to identify an individual;

B. is created or received by a healthcare provider, health plan, employer or healthcare clearinghouse; and

C. relates to the past, present or future physical or mental health or condition of an individual; the provision of health care to an individual; or the past, present or future payment for the provision of healthcare to an individual. 

What would be PHI? Some examples are a person's chart in a hospital or nursing home, and doctor's records. 

q. 32 asks that you identify whether you will be using PHI or not. Note that there are very specific rules about using this sort of information.

q. 33 is completed only if you have indicated that you will use PHI. You must indicate which legal way you will access it – through an Authorization to Use or Disclose PHI for Research Purposes form or through accessing a limited data set with all identifiers removed. 

Next time I will post an updated blog index. 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! leann.stadtlander@waldenu.edu 

IRB application, q. 20-31

The next section of the IRB application that we will explore is Data Integrity and Confidentiality, q. 20-30. 

q. 20a asks in what format you will obtain and store the data. Presumably it will be paper, electronic (on a computer), or audio. 

q. 20b asks where you will store the data. I recommend a locked file cabinet for paper and a password protected flash (or thumb) drive for electronic (this protects it from outside hackers or if the flash drive got into the wrong hands). 

q. 21 describes what security precautions will be taken, such as locked cabinets, password protection, etc. Keep in mind that if the data is out of your immediate possession it must be secured from other people. 

q. 22 asks you to describe the checks that are in place to ensure data accuracy. Some common methods are to have another person double check any data entry or coding (you will need a confidentiality agreement from them), double checking all downloads from outside sites (such as survey monkey). 

q. 23 asks you to explain how you will dispose of the data. All data should be destroyed in 5 yrs (minimum, although APA recommends 7 yrs). Shredding paper copies and erasing or destroying flash drives are appropriate responses. 

q. 24 asks you to think through a plan if any adverse events occur (e.g., breach of confidentiality). Some suggestions are stopping the study, correct issues, and contacting your chair and IRB. 

q. 25 is where you indicate if your data will be confidential (only you know who participates) or anonymous (no one knows who participates). 

q. 26 asks if you will retain a link between the study code numbers and who participants are, indicate your choice and why. 

q. 27 identifies whether only you will have the identifier or anyone else will (tip – don’t let anyone else have access to it). 

q. 28 asks you to explain how you will recruit participants- again, keep some distance from them if at all possible by using flyers or ads. 

q. 29 asks you to list anyone who will have access to the data- it should be only you. Anyone else will need a confidentiality agreement and you will need to explain why this necessary. 

q. 30 has you indicate if you have confidentiality agreements (from q. 29) 

q. 31 asks you to identify state or national laws that apply in your study. Some possible ones are laws that require identification of possible child or elder abuse; identification of illegal behavior or if someone is a danger to themselves or others. If none applies, it is ok to state that you have reviewed your state laws and none are relevant to the current study. 

Next time we will continue examining the IRB application, with q. 32-33. 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! leann.stadtlander@waldenu.edu 

IRB application, q. 17-19

This time we are continuing an examination of the IRB application with q. 17-19 

q. 17 asks you to explain how you will protect your participants from the identified risks in q. 16. A few common protections are anonymity (you do not know who provided the data; possible in surveys but not in interviews), strict confidentiality (no one other than the researcher will know their identity), reminding them that they can stop at any time, and providing breaks for interviews. To reduce the chance of coercion you need a way for people to volunteer without having to tell you personally if they want to do it – using flyers or ads are a common way around this. 

q. 18 asks that you describe any benefits for participants. Typically, there are few real benefits for the participants other than the opportunity to participate in a psychological study. Don’t over-sale this, the IRB knows that there probably are not any. 

q. 19 asks you describe the benefits for society. Typically, it is just providing an insight into a small area of research. This is fine; you are not going to change the world. J 

Next time we will continue examining the IRB application, with q. 20-31. 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! leann.stadtlander@waldenu.edu 

IRB application, q. 16

Students often have problems with q. 16 of the IRB application, which asks about the level of risk for a series of categories. This section has several hidden landmines, that if you check them your study will be rejected. Having a minimal risk is not a deal breaker for your study, but you must recognize the possibility. Let's take a look at each section and look for the landmines. 

16A. Unintended disclosure of confidential information (such as educational or medical records). The key words here are "unintended disclosure", in other words someone telling you something not related to your study. If you are doing an interview this is always a minimal risk – you never know what people will say. How to minimize the risk? State that you will stop them if they go into confidential areas that you do not need to know about. 

16B. Psychological stress greater than what one would experience in daily life (e.g., materials or topics that could be considered sensitive, offensive, threatening, degrading). If you are asking questions that people may be embarrassed or uncomfortable about, such as about sex, alcohol use, loss of a job, loss of a spouse or child, etc. it is at least a minimal risk. If your entire study is about the sensitive topic than it probably is a substantial risk and you will need to provide a list of low cost counselors or have a counselor available. 

16C. landmine Attention to personal information that is irrelevant to the study (i.e., related to sexual practices, family history, substance use, illegal behavior, medical or mental health). You should only be asking about information absolutely necessary for your study. Be careful about including any of the topics listed unless required for your study. 

16D. landmine Unwanted solicitation, intrusion, or observation in public places. You are not allowed to recruit (i.e., solicit participants in public places). You are also not allowed to observe people for research unless they are aware of it. 

16E. Unwanted intrusion of privacy of others not involved in study (e.g. participant’s family). Will you be able to guarantee privacy for your study? If not, indicate that it will be a minimal risk. This is also applicable if you are doing the study online- you will have no way to know if someone is in the room.

16F. landmine Social or economic loss (i.e., collecting data that could be damaging to any participants’ or stakeholders’ financial standing, employability or reputation). This is a very serious issue and you will not be able to collect this type of data, unless you can guarantee anonymity. 

16G. landmine Perceived coercion to participate due to any existing or expected relationship between the participant and the researcher (or any entity that the researcher might be perceived to represent). Anytime you may know the participant, you run the risk of coercion (they feel obligated to participate). This is why you should not do research in your workplace. 

16H. landmine Misunderstanding as a result of experimental deception (such as placebo treatment or use of confederate research assistants posing as someone else). Any type of deception is strongly discouraged, this includes using a placebo or control group.  

16I. Minor negative effects on participants’ or stakeholders’ health (no risk of serious injury). An example of this one is when interviewing elderly or ill participants there is the risk of fatigue, so I would indicate a minimal risk. To minimize it, give frequent breaks.  

16J. landmine Major negative effects on participants’ or stakeholders’ health (risk of serious injury). You will not be allowed to do a study with any possibility of this. 

Next time we will continue examining the IRB application, with q. 17-19. 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! leann.stadtlander@waldenu.edu

IRB application, q. 13-15

The next section examines issues related to your community stakeholders and /or partners. Let's begin with a definition as to who these people are. Any organization or institution that will be helping you in some way with your research is a community partner or stakeholder. Some examples might be an online support group that will post your ad about your study, a company or university that will send out an email for you, or an agency that will give you access to their archival data. 

q. 13. This asks you to identify your community partners and to list a plan as to how they will get the results of your study. Some common ways are to send a summary of your study (a couple of pages) to the community partner and participants. You could also do a talk for interested parties. Even if you have an anonymous survey you can do this by stating in your ad and at the conclusion of the study that anyone who is interested in a summary of the results, whether they participate in the study or not, can receive it by sending you an email. 

q. 14. This asks that you indicate the community partner's role in the study. The one that most confuses students is the first choice: I am relying solely on public records and/or means to recruit participants and collect data, and thus, I have no community research partner. When does this apply? Some examples might be when you are accessing newspaper accounts, or public legal records. This is rarely an appropriate choice- so think about it carefully. If anyone has to give you permission to get access to the people/ data it is not the correct option. 

q. 15. This has you indicate the organization at which you will recruit (probably your community partner), who is authorized to approve the research at the site, and why you chose this partner. An underlying assumption here is that you have already spoken with the partner. Never assume that a group/ organization/ institution will happily welcome you as a researcher (even if you work for it). Always talk to the partner early in the process and see if they are willing to allow you to do research there, and what they will require from you to do so. One additional comment about 15c, why you chose the partner- because it is convenient, is not a good rationale. For example, going into a school to assess children simply because you know that there will be many there and it is easy, is not appropriate. You may wish to contact the IRB, talk through your recruitment ideas, and see if they have suggestions. IRB@waldenu.edu 

Next time we will continue examining the IRB application, with q. 16. 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! leann.stadtlander@waldenu.edu

IRB application: q. 12

Question 12 of the IRB is another of the tricky questions for students. The primary problem seen is not going into enough detail. You have to list every step that will be involved in the research process, including how you will get access to participants (recruitment), what you will do with them during data collection, data analyses, and dissemination of the results to your community partners and participants.

Here is an example from the mixed methods study on students' views of the dissertation process. Note the level of detail listed. 

	Participant recruitment and data collection steps                           It is a student researcher’s responsibility to ensure that the procedures described here are 100% aligned with the final proposal that is approved by committee members after the oral defense. Failure to fully align item 12 with the approved proposal can result in invalidation of data and rejection of the final study.	Duration	Exact Location	Communication Format  (e.g., email, phone, in person, internet, etc.)
Step 1	PILOT STUDY: Quantitative & Qualitative- Students a)     Recruitment Two pilot students will be recruited through former students of the PIs. b)     Consent Pilot students will complete a consent form at the beginning of the survey in survey monkey c)     Administration and Analysis of Pilot Study Survey/email interviews will be done with students for clarity and timing. Students will participate in a short interview by phone or gotomeeting to determine if any items were not clear and to determine time for completion. d)     Changes to Actual Study Any changes required will be submitted to IRB through Change of Procedure form.	60-90 min. per participant	virtual	internet
Step 2	ACTUAL STUDY: Quantitative- Students a)          Announcement of Study and Recruitment Psychology students will be sent an email on psych student list servs. b)          Consent              A consent form will be the first page of the survey c)          Administration of Study Interested students will be asked to take a survey in survey monkey (see additional info file), which will ask about demographics, history of dissertation, social support, isolation, satisfaction and some brief answer questions. At the end of the survey, they will be asked if they would be willing to complete an interactive email interview and asked for their email address (an anonymous email option will be provided). d)     Analysis of Data Initial quantitative analysis- looking for patterns by time in dissertation, demographics, and family history. We will follow up the consistent issues in the interviews (and submit a change of procedure form for any revisions).	1 month	virtual	Internet
Step 3	ACTUAL STUDY: Qualitative- Students a)          Announcement of Study and Recruitment Individuals will be asked if they are willing to participate in an interactive email interview at the conclusion of the survey. b)          Implied Consent A consent form will be sent with the interactive email interview questions. Return of the survey implies consent. (this is done to preserve anonymity, if the participant desires; see Additional Info file) c)          Administration of Study We anticipate that responses may differ by time spent on their dissertation, thus for the interviews, we will look for a stratified sample of students: 1-2, 2-3, 3+ years into their dissertation (3 time points x 4 at each time point = 12 students).   Each of the 12 students will participate in an interactive email interview	6 weeks		email
Step 4	Qualitative Analyses: Open-Ended Questions on Surveys A coding scheme will be developed for the qualitative data and all responses coded and categorized into themes.  The qualitative data will be transformed into quantitative data by reducing themes and codes to numeric information, using a scoring rubric to systematically quantify the interview data as recommended by Creswell and Plano Clark (2011).   Qualitative Analyses: Interactive E-Mail 1. The entire interview transcript from one participant will be initially read for overall topics.  A list of all topics will be made and similar topics will be clustered and identified as major topics, minor topics, and unique topics.   Codes will be developed for each type of topic (a topic can include, for example, process codes, activity codes, strategy codes, etc.).  The codes will then be applied to the remaining interviews to determine if additional topics and codes are needed, or if codes need to be consolidated.  Segments of coded interviews will then be identified that capture the voice (experience) of each participant.  Data will then be organized by themes/segments to answer each RQ.   2. One or both of the following methods will be used to validate the study findings: a. Member checking with each participant b. Triangulation of survey and interview data that ask the same question(s)	2 months
Step 5	A report to the school of psychology will be written.

 Next time we will continue examining the IRB application, with q. 13-15. 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! leann.stadtlander@waldenu.edu