IRB application, q. 34-36

Questions 34-36 of the IRB application address any possible conflicts of interest.

q. 34 This question asks you to disclose information relevant to separating your multiple roles as clearly as possible, with the goal of ensuring authentically voluntary participation in your study. Doctoral research directly benefits the student (allowing him or her to obtain a degree), and so the researcher should minimize the potential for either (a) conflict of interest or (b) perceived coercion to participate. Researchers who are in positions of authority must take extra precautions to ensure that potential participants are not pressured to take part in their study. Data collection should be as detached as possible from the researcher’s authority.

 

Examples:

-a professor researcher may recruit students AFTER grades have been assigned

-a psychologist researcher may recruit clients from ANOTHER psychologist’s practice

-a manager researcher may conduct ANONYMOUS data collection so that subordinates do not perceive their responses or [non]participation as being associated with their job standing

 

At the time of study recruitment, are the potential study participants aware of any of the researchers’ other professional or public roles? (Such as teacher, business owner, community leader, supervisor, etc.?) 

You are given two choices – No- they will know about any of your roles.

The alternative is yes, and you must clearly state what your role is how you will make sure people do not feel obligated to participate. Anonymity is the best choice whenever possible. 

q. 35 asks you to disclose any financial conflicts, such as you (or your family) having contracts, clients, etc. that could influence the research or who participates. (This is a common issue in medical drug studies in which the drug company is sponsoring the research).

Again you have two choices, no, there is no financial conflicts or yes. If you answer yes you must indicate how you will manage that conflict. 

q. 36 asks if you will be giving any form of gifts, payments, compensation, reimbursement, free services, or extra credit to participants. In general, the IRB discourages any payment to participants. You can however, provide refreshments to a group or individuals who participate. 

Providing compensation is a tricky area and if you are considering this, I suggest discussing it with the IRB. Payment can be very expensive and you have to give it to everyone who volunteers, whether they complete the study or not. 

Next time we will continue examining the IRB application, with q. 37-39. 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