Re: [Air-L] IRBs
I'll add my little bit into the IRB discussion. I've served on University IRBs at two institutions. Perhaps they were good ones, but there wasn't much "making stuff up" - but there was, and is, a lot of discussion of "how do we deal with all these new kinds of research." I can say that at both, I was the only one familiar with online research methods, technology, etc.; and thus was able to possibly prevent some of the more extreme reactions (say comparing chat rooms with focus groups). I was also able to introduce the AoIR guide to ethical research to them, which they eagerly accepted as an appropriate guide for online research. So if your University IRB is having a hard time understanding what you do, perhaps you can help them - point them to our ethics statement, perhaps even volunteer to serve; it may not help your particular current project, but you might help future online research at your institution. Also, the Feds do seem to make up new rules along the way. Our whole IRB board was surprised recently to learn that asking about smoking is now considered a sensitive subject that requires full IRB review even on an anonymous survey - and that's straight from a Federal rule (45 CFR 46, Subpart C). Ben Bates Professor, College of Communication & Information University of Tennessee
Thanks Ben, The guide is available at http://www.aoir.org/reports/ethics.pdf Title: Ethical decision-making and Internet research: Recommendations from the aoir ethics working committee Authors: Charles Ess and the AoIR ethics working group Approved by AoIR, November 27, 2002 Charles Balch -----Original Message----- From: air-l-bounces@listserv.aoir.org [mailto:air-l-bounces@listserv.aoir.org] On Behalf Of Bates, Benjamin J Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 6:50 AM To: air-l@listserv.aoir.org Subject: Re: [Air-L] IRBs I'll add my little bit into the IRB discussion. I've served on University IRBs at two institutions. Perhaps they were good ones, but there wasn't much "making stuff up" - but there was, and is, a lot of discussion of "how do we deal with all these new kinds of research." I can say that at both, I was the only one familiar with online research methods, technology, etc.; and thus was able to possibly prevent some of the more extreme reactions (say comparing chat rooms with focus groups). I was also able to introduce the AoIR guide to ethical research to them, which they eagerly accepted as an appropriate guide for online research. So if your University IRB is having a hard time understanding what you do, perhaps you can help them - point them to our ethics statement, perhaps even volunteer to serve; it may not help your particular current project, but you might help future online research at your institution. Also, the Feds do seem to make up new rules along the way. Our whole IRB board was surprised recently to learn that asking about smoking is now considered a sensitive subject that requires full IRB review even on an anonymous survey - and that's straight from a Federal rule (45 CFR 46, Subpart C). Ben Bates Professor, College of Communication & Information University of Tennessee _______________________________________________ The Air-L@listserv.aoir.org mailing list is provided by the Association of Internet Researchers http://aoir.org Subscribe, change options or unsubscribe at: http://listserv.aoir.org/listinfo.cgi/air-l-aoir.org Join the Association of Internet Researchers: http://www.aoir.org/
Hi, everyone, As you may know, Charlie Ess and I are currently conducting research on IRBs, and asking them directly about their experiences and review processes with online research. Our project information, including the survey we're using and some preliminary results, are available at http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/SOIS/cipr/ire.html And, a shameless plus, to those of you debating these issues, consider sending your case studies, opinion pieces, or research to us at the International Journal of Internet Research Ethics! Best, Elizabeth -- Elizabeth A. Buchanan, Ph.D. Director, Center for Information Policy Research School of Information Studies University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee www.cipr.uwm.edu 414.229.3973 Co-Editor, International Journal of Internet Research Ethics (www.ijire.uwm.edu)
participants (3)
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Bates, Benjamin J -
Charlie Balch -
Elizabeth Buchanan