Imagine You Are Reviewing Studies For IRB Ethical Processes
Imagine You Are Reviewing Studies For Irb Ethical Processes And Proced
Imagine you are reviewing studies for IRB ethical processes and procedures. Review the five research proposal synopses and decide whether to approve or reject the submission based on ethical research practices and standards. In addition to making a determination of approval or no approval, use appropriate sources to support your decision. Write your response to each proposal in no more than 100 words, for a total of 500 words for the assignment. Research Proposal Summary 1: A learner has identified that stakeholders of publicly traded corporations do not understand that the relationship between firms' return on equity, annual revenue, and CEOs' compensation is a business problem requiring a research response. Using archival data from financial records of publicly traded companies located in North America, she proposes a quantitative, correlational study to examine the relationship between these variables. Because the information is available online, the learner contends that neither organizational nor site permission is needed to conduct the research study. Should the learner's proposal be approved? Why or why not? Research Proposal Summary 2: The learner, whose field of specialization is business intelligence, posits that a business problem exists at her organization—finding qualified personnel for scientific-based projects and jobs. The learner submits a proposal to conduct research wherein she seeks to utilize a qualitative exploratory case study of her organization, which she specifically identifies by name. Should the learner's proposal be approved? Why or why not? Research Proposal Summary 3: Citing a peer-reviewed resource, a learner claims a business problem is that company leaders do not fully appreciate the importance of adopting green building technologies as a means of cost savings. She proposes a quantitative, quasi-experimental study to examine the energy usage in an office building located in the western United States, both before and after the installation of green technologies. While preparing her proposal, she obtains an e-mail from the building's manager granting approval to study data obtained from the site before and after the installation of the technologies. Should her proposal be approved? Why or why not? Research Proposal Summary 4: The learner submits a proposal stating he will keep all participant data obtained or generated during his study on an encrypted USB drive. The USB drive will then be stored in a safety deposit box for five years following completion of the study. At the end of the five-year period, the learner states he will destroy the data on the drive, in accordance with Department of Defense directives. Should the learner's proposal be approved? Why or why not? Research Proposal Summary 5: The learner, whose specialization is human resource management, cites peer-reviewed sources identifying a business problem existing with managers lacking an understanding of leadership strategies that increase employee job performance and satisfaction. As part of his qualitative study proposal, the learner presents a copy of a flyer he wants to distribute in an effort to recruit employees to participate in private interviews. He includes a copy of the informed consent on the back of the flyer to help individuals understand what he is asking them to do. Should the learner's proposal be approved? Why or why not? Refer to the Ethical Study Processes and Procedures Scoring Guide to ensure you meet the grading criteria. Additional Requirements To achieve a successful experience and outcome, you are expected to meet the following requirements: Written Communication: Written communication is free of errors that detract from the overall message, follows standard American English usage, and uses language appropriate for the intended business and scholarly doctoral audiences. Formatting: Paper, references, and citations are formatted according to current APA style and formatting guidelines. Length: 100 words per research proposal, 500 words total, double-spaced.
Paper For Above instruction
Analysis and Evaluation of IRB Ethical Compliance for Research Proposals
Proposal 1: The learner's plan to use publicly available archival financial data generally aligns with ethical research standards, as secondary data collected from public sources typically does not require institutional approval (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2019). However, ethical considerations include ensuring data privacy and confidentiality, even if data is publicly accessible. Since individual identities are usually anonymized in such datasets, approval from an IRB is not mandatory, but researchers should still comply with ethical guidelines for data security and reporting transparency (Resnik, 2018). Therefore, this proposal can be approved with the condition that the researcher maintains data privacy protocols.
Proposal 2: Conducting a qualitative case study within her organization that identifies the organization by name introduces potential confidentiality and privacy issues, especially when sensitive operational or personnel information is involved (Merriam & Tisdell, 2015). Since the researcher intends to study her own organization, IRB approval depends on whether the organization considers this research as involving human subjects, which it likely does. Ethical approval should be obtained to protect participant rights and ensure informed consent, especially if interviews or confidential data are involved (National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research, 1979). Therefore, the proposal should be approved only if IRB review confirms ethical compliance.
Proposal 3: The study of green building technology impacts using a quasi-experimental design with documented approval from the building manager aligns with ethical standards, provided data collection respects privacy and confidentiality (American Psychological Association, 2020). Since the researcher obtained written permission from authority figures and will analyze operational data, this minimizes ethical concerns. Nonetheless, if data involves identifiable information or employee data, IRB review should be conducted to ensure participant protection, especially since energy data can sometimes be linked to identifiable building occupants (Levine, 2016). Overall, with proper permissions and anonymized data, this study is ethically sound and approvable.
Proposal 4: The proposal to securely store participant data on an encrypted USB drive and destroy it after five years complies with data security standards mandated by ethical research guidelines (National Institutes of Health, 2018). The steps to encrypt data and follow Department of Defense protocols demonstrate commitment to confidentiality and data protection. As long as the researcher maintains secure storage and destruction procedures, this plan aligns with best practices in research ethics and can be approved. Regular audits and documentation of data destruction further strengthen ethical compliance (Resnik, 2018).
Proposal 5: Using a flyer with an informed consent statement for recruiting participants in private interviews reflects adherence to ethical standards for research involving human subjects (American Psychological Association, 2020). Clearly providing consent information ensures participants understand their rights, risks, and the purpose of the study (Babbie, 2013). However, distributing flyers publicly could raise concerns about voluntariness and coercion, especially if recruitment occurs within a vulnerable population. IRB approval should verify that recruitment procedures minimize coercion, ensure voluntary participation, and protect confidentiality. Given these precautions, the proposal can be ethically approved.
References
- American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.).
- Babbie, E. (2013). The practice of social research. Cengage Learning.
- Levine, B. (2016). Ethical considerations in energy research. Energy Policy Journal, 99, 123-130.
- Merriam, S. B., & Tisdell, E. J. (2015). Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation. John Wiley & Sons.
- National Institutes of Health. (2018). Data security and confidentiality in research. NIH Policy Guide.
- National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research. (1979). The Belmont Report.
- Resnik, D. B. (2018). The ethics of research with human subjects. Accountability in Research, 25(2), 117-135.
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2019). Protection of human subjects. HHS Regulations, 45 CFR 46.
- Levine, B. (2016). Ethical considerations in energy research. Energy Policy Journal, 99, 123-130.