Here we have a spot on the IRB form for an exemption from full IRB review
for the following reasons:
(b,1) research involves "normal educational practices in an
educational setting
(b,2) research involves "the use of educational tests (cognitive,
diagnostic, aptitude achievement(, survey procedures or
observation on public behavior" and anonymity of participants
is assured
(b,4) data are publicly available
(b,5) examines "public benefit or service programs"
(At one point I assume there was a (b,3) but no one really knows what it
was.) Anyway, the forms still have to be filled out if you claim an
exemption but it does not have to go before the full IRB. Instead it is
reviewed by an appointed IRB representative in the department. This person
reads through the proposal, and if all seems ethical and it fits the
exemption then you get the green light. If there are grey areas, then it
gets passed higher up for full review. Also, anything involving minors has
to go through full review.
Student projects for our methods course are generally seen to fall under
(b,1) (educational practices) since their primary purpose is educational.
Students are required to fill out the forms and obtain approval (from the
prof who has to review them all) before they can collect any data.
One thing I'm curious about is where these exemptions actually came from.
Since I've also seen them on IRB forms at other nearby institutions, I
assume they were from some gov't entity.... and if so, does someone have a
fuller explanation of what qualifies for the above exemptions?
- Marc
G. Marc Turner, MEd
Lecturer & Head of Computer Operations
Department of Psychology
Southwest Texas State University
San Marcos, TX 78666
phone: (512)245-2526
email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
