Psyc 510 Citi Training Overview And Guided Notes 5 Social

Psyc 510 Citi Training Overview And Guided Notes 5social And Behav

When conducting research, the researcher is responsible for ensuring the welfare of the subjects. Institutional, federal, and international measures have been established to protect subjects from harm, and these regulations are constantly evolving. It is essential for researchers to stay current on major concepts, laws, and regulations governing research. To enhance understanding of ethical human research, students are required to complete the CITI Ethics Program titled “Social & Behavioral Researchers Basic Course” by completing all modules and elective modules, earning at least 80%, and obtaining a certificate. The certificate is valid for three years.

To enroll and complete the CITI training, create an account, affiliate with Liberty University, and select the appropriate modules, including the required “elective” modules: Research with Children, Research in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools, Internet-based Research, and Students in Research. Upon successful completion, download and save the completion certificate, which will be included in coursework and may be needed for future research projects.

The course covers major ethical principles such as those outlined in the Belmont Report, including respect for persons, beneficence, and justice. It emphasizes the importance of informed consent, privacy, confidentiality, and risk assessment in research involving human subjects. Specific modules detail procedures for gaining informed consent, protecting vulnerable populations, and reporting unanticipated problems. Additional elective modules focus on research with children, ethical considerations in educational settings, internet research challenges, and the rights of student researchers.

Key objectives from each module serve as guided notes, emphasizing the importance of understanding regulatory requirements, ethical principles, and practical procedures to protect research participants. These notes will support graded activities, such as homework, quizzes, and exams, throughout the course.

Paper For Above instruction

Research ethics are foundational to the integrity and societal acceptance of scientific inquiry, especially in social and behavioral sciences. The responsible conduct of research (RCR) encompasses principles designed to safeguard the rights, welfare, and dignity of research participants, ensuring that scientific advancements are achieved ethically. The Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) program offers comprehensive modules to educate researchers on these ethical standards, emphasizing the importance of adherence to federal regulations, institutional guidelines, and international norms.

The cornerstone of research ethics is articulated in the Belmont Report, which identified three fundamental principles: respect for persons, beneficence, and justice. Respect for persons necessitates obtaining informed consent and respecting participants' autonomy. Beneficence requires researchers to minimize harm and maximize benefits, and justice ensures fair participant selection and distribution of research benefits. These principles guide the development of guidelines and policies that protect vulnerable populations, such as children, prisoners, individuals with diminished decision-making capacity, and economically disadvantaged groups.

Informed consent is a critical component of ethical research. It involves providing potential participants with comprehensive information about the study, ensuring they understand the risks and benefits, and voluntarily agree to participate without coercion or undue influence. The process includes nine essential elements, such as explanation of the study, confidentiality protections, and the right to withdraw at any time. Special considerations are needed when involving vulnerable populations, requiring additional safeguards like parental consent, assent, or legally authorized representatives (LARs). For example, research involving children necessitates parental permission and the child's assent, adjusted to age and cognitive level.

Privacy and confidentiality are pivotal to maintaining trust between researchers and participants. Privacy pertains to individuals' control over access to personal information, whereas confidentiality involves protecting data from unauthorized disclosure. Researchers must employ mechanisms such as anonymization, secure data storage, and limited access, while ethically and legally managing sensitive topics like sexual behavior, substance use, or mental health issues. Legislation such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) further reinforces these protections. During data collection, the use of internet surveys or snowball sampling can introduce additional privacy risks, requiring careful conduct to uphold participant rights.

The ethical conduct of research also involves the diligent reporting of unanticipated problems and adverse events to institutional review boards (IRBs). These reports enable oversight bodies to assess risks and implement modifications or suspensions to safeguard participants. IRB review processes vary from exempt to full review, based on the study’s complexity and risk level. For instance, minimal risk surveys might qualify for expedited review, while studies involving vulnerable populations demand full board oversight.

Research with special populations, such as children or students, incorporates additional regulations and protections. Federal laws stipulate parental permission, child assent, and school approval, especially when research is conducted in educational settings. For example, research in public schools receiving federal funds is governed by additional policies like the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment, which mandate parent notification and options to opt-out.

Internet-based research presents new ethical challenges, including determining whether online content is public or private, ensuring informed consent in digital environments, and protecting participant identity. Researchers must distinguish between publicly accessible information and private content, employing measures like secure online platforms and transparent withdrawal rights. Additionally, the use of avatars or NPCs complicates definitions of “living individuals,” necessitating careful ethical consideration to avoid harm or invasion of privacy.

The engagement of students in research also demands strict adherence to ethical standards. Their participation relies on voluntary agreement, with informed consent from guardians and age-appropriate assent from minors. Institutional guidelines delineate the responsibilities of faculty advisors, IRBs, and researchers to maintain ethical compliance at every stage.

In conclusion, with the increasing complexity of social and behavioral research, comprehensive training such as the CITI program is vital. Knowledge of federal regulations, ethical principles, vulnerable populations, privacy protections, and reporting requirements ensures that researchers uphold integrity and societal trust. Continuous education and adherence to these standards safeguard research participants and enhance the credibility of scientific endeavors.

References

• National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research. (1979). The Belmont Report. Office of Human Research Protections.
• Department of Health and Human Services. (2018). Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects ('Common Rule'). 45 CFR 46.
• Sieber, J. E., & Takashima, H. (2011). The Ethics of Internet Research: Ethical Standards and Guidelines. Ethics & Behavior, 21(5), 371–391.
• Resnik, D. B. (2018). Protecting research subjects: the ethics of human subjects research. Research Ethics.
• American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. APA.
• Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99.
• Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), 20 U.S.C. § 1232h; 34 CFR Part 98.
• National Institutes of Health. (2019). Guidance on Internet Research Ethics.
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2018). Guidance for Institutional Review Boards and Clinical Investigators.
• Resnik, D. B. (2015). The ethics of research with children. American Journal of Bioethics, 15(7), 30–38.