Dissertation on Community Based Research and IRBs

Posted by on July 16, 2004

[posted from Randy Stoecker of Comm-Org]

From: Nancy L Shore

For my dissertation project, I examined researchers? experiences with the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and their perceptions of the human subjects regulations. The study compared the experiences of community-based participatory researchers (CBPR) and conventional social science researchers (CSSR). As compared to the CSSR group, the CBPR group?s responses overall were less aligned to the human subjects regulations in terms of their conceptualizations of research, their identification of what are the core ethical issues, and their interpretation of the Belmont Principles (Respect for Persons, Beneficence, and Justice). The CBPR group?s responses tended to emphasize empowerment oriented considerations that went beyond the traditional scope of the IRB purview.

While differences existed between the CSSR and CBPR groups? conceptualizations of research and ethical considerations, the identified benefits and challenges with the ethical review process were very similar across the two groups. For example, shared benefits included that the IRB process helps protect study participants and forces researchers to carefully conceptualize their projects prior to study recruitment. Shared challenges included 1) the length of time required to apply and receive IRB approval, 2) a sense that the IRB does not always understand the research proposals, and 3) inappropriate IRB feedback. The dissertation concludes with reflections on the nature of the identified challenges and implications for practice. Please let me know if you would like further information regarding the study findings. My email address through the summer is nshore@u.washington.edu. In the fall I am relocating to Portland, Maine to teach at the University of New England?s School of Social Work. Beginning 8/29 my email address will be nshore@une.edu.