This is a problem I have heard about from several other psychology departments. A few have even stopped assigning research projects (or have eliminated actual data collection in favor of giving students bogus data to analyze). I think this is unfortunate because collecting data and analyzing it to see what one has "discovered" is an important experience for students, especially those who are considering continuing with their psychology training. (I recall that this exciting experience was a major factor in my decision to go into experimental psychology.)
Alas, even a exempt review takes time. And it is often the excessive time delays for exempt review that causes grumbles. But a FULL IRB review? This is overkill to the detriment of the training of psychology students (as well as imposing a totally unnecessary burden on the IRB members). Who came up with this silly notion? It clearly exceeds the demands of federal policy.
Patricia Keith-Spiegel
Patricia,
We have operated here at NKU regarding this issue in a manner
which is much more flexible and, I believe, makes a whole lot more
sense. If students are assigned a research project as part of a course
requirement and it is primarily for pedagogical reasons (to teach
students how to do sound, ethical, behavioral research) then it would
fall under the principle of "academic freedom" and would not
be subject to IRB review. The instructor is primarily responsible for
classroom assignments and the screening of any and all research
protocols of his/her students and the determination of ethical
considerations (which should also be a major component of any research
methods course). This understanding is extended to all disciplines
(i.e. psychology, sociology, social work, education, etc.). Of course,
the research sponsor or mentor (faculty member) is always
responsible for the ethics of any research project under his/her
supervision, whether approved by an IRB or not, and legally liable for
any transgressions that may occur in connection with such research.
This would also hold for chemistry professors that may assign lab
experiments as part of their course that might prove dangerous and
result in injury. However, it is also understood that our IRB is open
and willing to review any student research protocol that an instructor
may wish to be reviewed should he/she feel uncomfortable or unfamiliar
with specific ethical issues ( e.g.. confidentiality and privacy
issues, treatment of protected classes, informed consent of parents &
participant ascent of minors, etc.). I have also made myself available
to consult with any instructor regarding ethical guidelines (APA as
well as IRB). However, if a research project by a student, under the
supervision of a member of the faculty, is primarily to contribute to
the literature in an area, with the intent of presenting data at a
conference or publication, it must be IRB reviewed. This would include
undergraduate independent study or supervised research projects as
well as Masters' theses. In addition, all federally funded
research projects would undergo IRB review regardless of intent.
I should also note that I established our IRB here at NKU back in
the early 1980's and have served as our IRB chair ever since. IRB
guidelines (for those folks not familiar with such) can be found at
http://ohrp.osophs.dhhs.gov/irb/irb_guidebook.htm
George
--
George D. Goedel
Professor & Chairperson
Department of Psychology
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Hts., KY 41099-2000
(859) 572-5574
fax (859) 572-6085
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
---George D. Goedel
Professor & Chairperson
Department of Psychology
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Hts., KY 41099-2000
(859) 572-5574
fax (859) 572-6085
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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