Hello George,
I think your program is terrific. Unfortunately, not all institutions allow student research on human Ss to slip into that exempt category (normal classroom activities). And, federal policy is not as clear as it could/should be on the matter. That is, IF certain kinds of research are exempt, then why do they have to be put through IRB scrutiny? It appears to be an oxymoron. However, many (most) institutions hold that an IRB must CONFIRM that the research is exempt in order to be identified as such.
Tricia Keith-Spiegel
Hi Tricia,
I understand but believe that IRBs can and should interpret the
guidelines in a reasonable manner. After all, as educational
institutions, we have the mission of instruction on how to do research
as well as the actual conduct of research. I think they are quite
different responsibilities although often blurred. We also
require here at NKU IRB chair or Board member approval of studies
for "exempt" status (given they are not classroom
assignments for pedagogical purposes). The guidelines for such status
(actually known as "exempt from formal review" which would
not make it an oxymoron) are pretty clear. They must be studies
that collect data in such a manner that the individual responding
cannot be identified directly or through identifiers that could
possibly link the subject to the study and fall into one of 5
categories; (1) research in a commonly accepted educational setting
(e.g. comparison of instructional techniques, standard achievement
tests, etc.), (2) questionnaires, surveys or interview procedures,
etc. as long as subjects are not stressed or their behavior
manipulated, (3) surveys, questionnaires, or interviews of public
officials, (4) collection or study of existing (archival) data,
specimens, etc. if publicly available, and (5) research under DHHS
auspices to study, evaluate, or examine the Social Security Act or
other federal public benefit or service programs. All else must
undergo expedited (another criteria set) or full committee
review. No research (surveys, questionnaires, archival
data or whatever, regardless of the above criteria) involving
"protected classes" of subjects may be eligible for
"exempt from formal review" status. Also, even though a
project may be eligible for the "exempt from formal review"
status, other principles (e.g. informed consent) still apply. The
primary reason that such research requires even IRB chair or agent
(board member) approval is that it primarily ensures that the criteria
have been met and protects the researcher as well as the academy. I
think there is, or should be, a distinction between "exempt from
formal review" status for non-classroom research and pedagogical
assignments that may be part of a course syllabus (academic freedom).
I believe the review procedures in effect for the former are warranted
but not necessary for the latter. The line is indeed thin but, I
believe can and should be drawn.
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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