IRB over-reach and abuse can be a systemic problem on some campuses. Much depends on the local structure and training of IRB members and the culture of the campus.
Sometimes there are weird outcomes and questions that arise when a new member comes on an IRB. A well-functioning IRB will address those issues and re-calibrate the judgment of the individual (i.e., no, it is not more than minimal risk to experience embarrassment at forgetting something . . . and I received that comment from an IRB member who should have known better many years ago when the UWF IRB was particularly dysfunctional). I wonder if this proposed change is motivated by the trend to have all assessment projects processed through IRBs (they involve human subjects, collection and archiving of performance data and work artifacts, and are used in scholarly articles and presentations - which puts them in the realm of "research"). At UWF, we recommend that these projects go through IRB review, just in case people want to publish something based on their assessment findings and use of research. Yes, this should be "exempt" research . . . but only the IRB can make that determination under current regulations. The IRB here developed streamlined procedures to make these decisions about exempt projects, which is a step in the right direction. Still, it can present a daunting work load if the institution is engaged in a lot of serious work with embedded assessments in courses. _____________________________________________ Claudia J. Stanny, Ph.D. Director Center for University Teaching, Learning, and Assessment Associate Professor NSF UWF Faculty ADVANCE Scholar School of Psychological and Behavioral Sciences University of West Florida 11000 University Parkway Pensacola, FL 32514 – 5751 Phone: (850) 857-6355 (direct) or 473-7435 (CUTLA) [email protected] CUTLA Web Site: http://uwf.edu/cutla/ Personal Web Pages: http://uwf.edu/cstanny/website/index.htm --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=24182 or send a blank email to leave-24182-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
