I don't see a problem with the researcher using participants from
classes taught by the researcher, though the potential for a problem
could arise depending on how it was done. Typically when this happens
here, an undergraduate or graduate student who is working on the
project is often the one to collect the data if at all possible. I
can see some situations, for example research on teaching, that might
require someone to use their own students. I can also think of
situations where I might want to teach all of the students about the
research process and could use their participation in the study as a
teaching moment for them. (Remember when we did ___ in the study?
This is why we did it that way... how else could we have done it?
What confounds might that have presented? etc. And since I did the
research I would know exactly what each student/participant did as
part of the study and at least in my mind know why it was done a certain way.)
At the same time though, if this was the case I don't think it would
be so unclear as to why it was needed. So, for me the fact that the
procedure does not make it clear why students must come from a given
class is reason for concern. If I were on an IRB review committee in
this case, I would probably want more explanation of the procedure
and why it was necessary to use his/her own students before making
the decision. I would also probably remind the faculty member about
the possible conflicts that could arise, give suggestions for how to
minimize those issues, etc.
Just my take...
- Marc
At 09:30 AM 9/26/2006, you wrote:
I am curious how tips folks would react to the following
situation. We have a typical subject pool available from our
introductory psych course. However, a faculty member wants to
recruit only current students in classes taught by that faculty
member. The reasons for this procedure remain ambiguous.
My view is that this seems akin to a "dual relationship" situation
and should be avoided. But I am unclear whether this would be an
actual violation of ethical guidelines such that an IRB would not
approve the procedure.
=============================================
G. Marc Turner, PhD, MEd, Network+, MCP
Senior Lecturer & Technology Coordinator
Department of Psychology
Texas State University-San Marcos
San Marcos, TX 78666
phone: (512)245-2526
email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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