IRB

Once your proposal has been accepted, the next step is the Institutional Review Board review (ethics board). The first step is to go to the research center, find the IRB website, and download the IRB application. One of the first items listed is that you need to take a short ethics course online (it is free), I recommend the NIH one. When you are done with the course, save the certificate to your computer, you will need to submit it to the IRB. Double check the IRB website for any relevant information sheets about your population. 

What is the IRB looking for? They want to know that you have thought out every detail of your study. The most common error students make is not providing enough detail, or not being clear in the information provided. As you begin to complete the IRB application, think about each item and consider: will someone unfamiliar with your study understand what you have written? Keep in mind that the board typically does not read your proposal, they rely on the information you provide in your application. 

The IRB is most concerned with your interactions with your participants, so go into great detail in this area. Think through each aspect of your study, some examples: Who will be approaching possible participants? What will they say? What happens to participants at each step of the process? Go into excruciating detail. If you find yourself assuming things (e.g., “I’ll use a room at XX for the interview”) stop and rethink it- do you have permission to use the room? Will it be private? Can people easily get there and find it? Will using the building give the impression that the organization is sponsoring the study? An example, of the last question would be using a church, you would want to be clear that the church is not affiliated in any way with your study. 

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? Send me an email with your ideas. leann.stadtlander@waldenu.edu