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 access the IRB application. One of the first items
listed is that you need to take the CITI ethics course online. 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, we will
consider an example of a study and IRB issues. 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@mail.waldenu.edu
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