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Case Study

Based on the rules governing research risk, explain why Dr. Aris's request for an expedited review must be denied, and explain the administrative pathway this protocol must follow instead.

Case context: Dr. Aris is designing a study on self-esteem in which undergraduate participants are falsely told they scored in the bottom 5% of their university on a test of social intelligence. Dr. Aris expects that this manipulation will cause significant, though temporary, feelings of inadequacy and distress. Believing that the distress will resolve after a brief post-study debriefing, Dr. Aris submits a research proposal requesting an expedited IRB review.

Question: Based on the rules governing research risk, explain why Dr. Aris's request for an expedited review must be denied, and explain the administrative pathway this protocol must follow instead.

Sample answer: Dr. Aris's request for an expedited review must be denied because the study exposes participants to potential psychological distress that is more than minor and temporary, which exceeds the risks encountered in daily life or routine evaluations. This places the study in the category of 'greater than minimal risk research.' Because it does not qualify for exempt or expedited review, the protocol must instead undergo a rigorous, comprehensive review by the full institutional review board (IRB).

Key points:

  • The study is classified as greater than minimal risk due to potential distress exceeding routine daily encounters.
  • Greater than minimal risk research is ineligible for exempt or expedited review.
  • The research protocol must undergo a rigorous, comprehensive review by the full IRB.

Rubric: The response must contain the following criteria: - Correctly diagnoses the study as greater than minimal risk because the false feedback causes distress exceeding routine daily life or evaluations. - Explains that greater than minimal risk studies are ineligible for exempt or expedited review. - Identifies that the protocol must undergo a comprehensive review by the full institutional review board (IRB).

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Updated 2026-05-27

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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU

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