IRB Advisor – March 1, 2008
March 1, 2008
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Internet research raises unique ethical concerns for IRBs
Over the past decade, the Internet has become an invaluable tool for researchers, linking colleagues across nations or even continents and enabling huge amounts of data to be transmitted quickly and securely. It even makes applying to IRBs faster and (well, relatively) painless. -
Internet guideline defines research, explores issues
When Sarah Fowler-Dixon, PhD, an education specialist in Washington University's Human Research Protection Office, began a project to develop the university's Internet research guideline for the university, she gathered a task force of IRB members, investigators involved in Internet research, and a technical advisor to help work through the complicated security issues involved. -
Video poses confidentiality and consent challenges
Videography can be a useful data collection tool in research, giving researchers access to information records of events, subtle non-verbal cues that can't be elicited any other way. -
Research project developed active, engaged consumer advisory board
When a Boston, MA, research team decided to study HIV/AIDS prevention among the mentally ill, a group that is particularly vulnerable to infection with the disease, they had to ensure their research volunteers were recruited with appropriate privacy safeguards and thoroughly understood their research participation. -
Revisit your conflict of interest policies to ensure comprehensive coverage
IRBs and research institutions occasionally should revisit their conflict of interest policies and update them to make certain they effectively protect human subjects, as well as pass the "smell" test. -
Best Practices Report: Improve your IRB's orientation & continuing education for members
It might take an individual IRB member from six months to a year to become fully acclimated to participating on an ethics board. So research institutions should do what they can to improve both new IRB member orientation and continuing education and training.