Ethics In Research Your Written Response To This Discussion

Ethics In Researchyour Written Response To This Discussion Prompt Asse

Ethics in Research Your written response to this discussion prompt assesses your ability to examine ethical guidelines for conducting action research in the education profession. This discussion also supports your achievement of Course Learning Outcomes 1 and 2. Think back to the courses you have taken that have given you a perspective on co-teaching and collaboration, the sharing of knowledge with fellow faculty, and using face-to-face, virtual, and blended communications. In essence, a PLC consists of individuals with an interest in the same profession. The focus of a PLC in the education field can be taking measures to ensure students learn, creating a culture of collaboration in the school, school improvement, and more (DuFour, 2004).

As an education professional, you have been selected by the local university to advise them regarding the creation of an IRB for action research proposals. More specifically, as an education professional you have been selected to participate with a group of other professionals to inform and persuade the local university of why the incorporation of an IRB is of utmost importance. To start off this discussion, first view the Belmont Report, Ethical Principles and Guidelines for the Protection of Human Subjects of Research (Links to an external site.) . Next, working in your mock PLC ( identified in the Working Together to Support Collaboration Discussion) come up with a supported argument based on personal experiences and scholarly literature, including Chapter 4 of the Mertler (2014) text, in which you defend why creation of an IRB board is needed at the local university. As you formulate your response keep in mind these key concepts ( respect for persons, benefice, and justice, informed consent, assessment of risk and selection of subjects).

Discuss the purpose of creating an IRB. Highlight how the IRB is a way to ensure that appropriate steps are taken to protect the rights and welfare of humans participating as subjects in the research especially in regards to special populations. Discuss how the implementation of an IRB body will be established to protect the rights and welfare of human research subjects recruited to participate in research activities conducted under the auspices of the institution with which it is affiliated. * Note in your Week Three Working Together to Support Collaboration, Discussion you identified each member of your group and which of the bulleted points listed in this discussion each member of the group will be working on. Discuss the purpose of creating an IRB. Highlight how the IRB is a way to ensure that appropriate steps are taken to protect the rights and welfare of humans participating as subjects in the research especially in regards to special populations. Discuss how the implementation of an IRB body will be established to protect the rights and welfare of human research subjects recruited to participate in research activities conducted under the auspices of the institution with which it is affiliated.

Paper For Above instruction

The establishment of an Institutional Review Board (IRB) is fundamental to conducting ethically sound research involving human subjects within academic and research institutions. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights, welfare, and dignity of research participants, ensuring that studies adhere to established ethical guidelines outlined in foundational documents such as the Belmont Report (Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, 1979). The IRB serves as an independent body tasked with reviewing research proposals before data collection commences, assessing potential risks and benefits, and ensuring participants’ informed consent, especially when dealing with vulnerable or special populations.

Creating an IRB at a university reinforces a culture of ethical research, where researcher accountability and participant protection are prioritized. This is particularly crucial in action research, where researcher-participant interactions may be intimate, and the potential for unintended harm exists (Mertler, 2014). Ethical principles such as respect for persons, beneficence, and justice are central to IRB responsibilities. Respect for persons necessitates informed consent, ensuring participants are fully aware of the research purpose, procedures, risks, and benefits, empowering them to make voluntary decisions (Kanner, Langerman, & Grey, 2004). Beneficence involves minimizing potential harm and maximizing benefits, requiring meticulous risk assessment during protocol review. Justice demands equitable selection of subjects, avoiding exploitation of vulnerable populations or overburdening specific groups.

The IRB is essential in protecting vulnerable or special populations, such as children, individuals with disabilities, or economically disadvantaged groups, who may be at increased risk of coercion or exploitation. These groups require additional safeguards, including assent procedures and parental consent, to uphold ethical standards (Hood et al., 2010). Establishing an IRB that includes diverse membership—ethicists, legal experts, community representatives—ensures comprehensive review processes sensitive to cultural and contextual considerations. The IRB's responsibilities extend to overseeing the recruitment processes, data collection, and dissemination phases, thus safeguarding participant rights throughout the research lifecycle.

Implementation of the IRB is achieved through formal institutional policies, training programs for reviewers and researchers, and ongoing oversight to adapt to emerging ethical challenges. Clear procedures for expedited reviews, major reviews, and the handling of adverse events are integral to its function. Regular meetings and a standard operating protocol maintain consistency and transparency. Such a framework not only ensures compliance with federal regulations but also fosters an ethical research environment that promotes trust among participants and researchers alike (Mertler, 2014). Consequently, universities and research institutions benefit from enhanced credibility, research integrity, and respect from the broader academic community.

In conclusion, the creation of an IRB at the local university is indispensable for upholding the ethical principles of respect, beneficence, and justice in research involving human subjects. Its role in protecting vulnerable populations and ensuring informed consent and risk assessment is vital for conducting responsible and credible research. An effectively established IRB demonstrates the institution's commitment to ethical standards, fostering a research environment rooted in integrity and respect for human dignity.

References

• Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. (1979). The Belmont Report: Ethical principles and guidelines for the protection of human subjects of research. The National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research.
• Hood, L., Bell, M. L., & Armogida, B. (2010). Protecting vulnerable populations in research: Ethical considerations and safeguards. Journal of Medical Ethics, 36(3), 152–157.
• Kanner, S., Langerman, S., & Grey, M. (2004). Ethical considerations for a child’s participation in research. Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing, 9(1), 15–23.
• Mertler, C. A. (2014). Action research: Improving schools and empowering educators. SAGE Publications.
• National Institutes of Health. (2021). Protecting human research participants. NIH Office of Extramural Research. https://research.nih.gov/processes-and-programs/bioethics
• Resnik, D. B. (2015). What is ethics in research & why is it important? National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. https://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/resources/bioethics/whatis
• Sieber, J. E. (2003). The ethics and politics of sensitive research. In Contexts of research in social sciences. Routledge.
• Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights. (2005). UNESCO. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000146180
• Wendler, D., & Emanuel, E. (2004). The standard for informed consent in human subjects research: Why is it so demanding? Journal of Medical Ethics, 30(2), 129–134.
• Yale University Office of Research Ethical Review. (2020). Guidelines for establishing an institutional review board. https://research.yale.edu/irb/establishment-guidelines