Ethical Review of a Research Proposal

A psychologist proposes a study to examine the effects of 48 hours of continuous sleep deprivation on the problem-solving skills of student volunteers. The proposal states that participants will be compensated and that the findings could have important implications for understanding workplace safety. When this proposal is submitted for review, what is the most critical issue the review committee responsible for protecting human participants will focus on?

Addressing IRB Concerns

Informed Consent Form

Minimal Risk

Institutional Approval

Expedited Research

Exempt Research

What is the primary responsibility of an Institutional Review Board (IRB)?

An Institutional Review Board (IRB) is permitted to consist entirely of scientific experts from the same university to ensure the most rigorous technical review of research protocols.

Match each specific research decision with the Institutional Review Board (IRB) ethical criterion it is designed to satisfy.

A psychologist proposes a study on the impact of social isolation on cognitive performance. Arrange the following ethical determinations in the logical order an Institutional Review Board (IRB) must perform them to satisfy the federal mandate of risk-benefit optimization.

A researcher argues that their university's Institutional Review Board (IRB) is 'unqualified' to review their neuroimaging study because one of the mandatory members is a local librarian with no scientific background. According to federal guidelines, this researcher's evaluation is ______ because the board is legally required to include at least one nonscientist to ensure that research protocols are viewed from a broad ethical perspective outside of the scientific community.

According to federal regulations, what is the minimum number of members required to form an Institutional Review Board (IRB), and what is one of the mandatory requirements for its composition?

Match each Institutional Review Board (IRB) requirement or function with its correct description based on federal ethical guidelines in psychological research.

A university forms an Institutional Review Board (IRB) composed of $4$ psychology professors and the university’s Director of Human Resources. This committee satisfies the federal requirement of having at least $1$ member who is unaffiliated with the institution.

A researcher submits a study design investigating the effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance. Arrange the steps an Institutional Review Board (IRB) takes to analyze and approve this research proposal in the correct logical order.

Suppose you are the director of a new research hospital and must establish its first Institutional Review Board (IRB) to oversee psychological and medical studies. Which of the following configurations successfully constructs a board that adheres to all federal requirements for diversity, scientific representation, and institutional independence?

Federal regulations require that an institutional review board be composed entirely of scientists in order to properly evaluate research protocols for potential ethical problems.

An Institutional Review Board (IRB) evaluates a research protocol where participants are initially deceived about the study's true purpose. The board approves the protocol only on the condition that participants receive a full explanation of the deception immediately following the session. In this scenario, the board is making a judgment that the modified _____ procedures are adequate to meet ethical standards for participant autonomy.

A newly established psychiatric hospital receiving federal funding is forming its first Institutional Review Board (IRB) to review proposed psychological studies. The hospital administration suggests a committee consisting of three clinical psychologists from the hospital staff, one hospital financial director, and one psychiatric nurse also employed by the hospital. Explain whether this proposed committee meets the federal composition requirements for an IRB, referencing specific criteria. Then, outline the primary responsibilities this committee will have once established.

Analyze this scenario from the perspective of an Institutional Review Board (IRB) reviewer. Diagnose the ethical shortcomings of the proposed research protocol based on the core criteria the IRB is responsible for ensuring. How should the board decide on this protocol, and what specific modifications should they require the researcher to make before granting approval?

A university researcher argues that since their study on student exam anxiety only uses an anonymous online survey and presents no physical risk, they do not need to submit their research protocol to the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Evaluate the validity of this researcher's argument based on federal IRB regulations.