Expedited research involves studies that pose a somewhat higher risk than exempt research but still expose participants to no more than minimal risk, which is defined as risks encountered by healthy individuals in daily life or during routine examinations. Because the risk is minimal, expedited review can be conducted by just one member of an institutional review board or by a separate committee under the board's authority, rather than the full committee.

Expedited Research

If a psychological study poses only minimal risk to participants—meaning the potential harm is no greater than what is encountered in daily life or during routine physical and psychological examinations—even a small anticipated benefit to the participants, science, or society is generally considered sufficient to ethically justify the research.

Justifying Minimal Risk Research

How is 'minimal risk' defined in the context of research ethics?

Minimal risk describes a level of potential harm in research that does not exceed the risks individuals ordinarily experience in their daily lives or during routine physical or psychological evaluations. Establishing this threshold is essential for institutional review boards (IRBs) to determine the necessary level of oversight, such as qualifying a study for expedited review.

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An institutional review board is a committee required by federal regulations for universities, hospitals, and other institutions receiving federal support. Its responsibility is to review research protocols for potential ethical problems, ensuring that risks are minimized, benefits outweigh risks, research is conducted fairly, and informed consent procedures are adequate. The board must consist of at least five people with diverse backgrounds, including scientists and nonscientists, men and women, various professions, and at least one person unaffiliated with the institution.

Institutional Review Board

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KPU Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition

An experimental psychologist wants to investigate the impact of stress on problem-solving abilities. Below are two potential procedures for the study. As a member of the committee that reviews research proposals to ensure participant safety and ethical conduct, which procedure would you approve? Justify your decision by referencing at least two distinct ethical principles that guide such reviews.

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?

During the institutional review, an Institutional Review Board (IRB) may identify ethical concerns or questions about a proposed study. Researchers must respond to these inquiries in good faith and without delay, which may require them to make additional modifications to their research design and procedures to better protect participants prior to resubmitting their protocol.

Addressing IRB Concerns

An informed consent form is a formal written document that participants review and sign to officially agree to partake in a study. It comprehensively outlines the research procedures, potential risks and benefits, and the participant's right to withdraw, adhering to specific ethical standards (such as APA Standard $$8.02$$a). To ensure comprehension, researchers typically supplement this form with a clear verbal explanation of the study.

Informed Consent Form

Minimal Risk

Before beginning a study, researchers must secure formal permission from their institution or course instructor, following specific local policies. This procedure typically requires submitting a detailed research protocol to an oversight committee, like an Institutional Review Board (IRB), to confirm that the proposed study adheres to ethical standards and adequately safeguards participants.

Institutional Approval

In federal research regulations, exempt research represents the lowest level of risk and includes studies such as the evaluation of normal educational activities, the use of standard, non-sensitive psychological measures that maintain confidentiality, or research utilizing existing public data. Once this type of research receives initial approval, it is considered exempt from regular, continuous review by an institutional review board.

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