IRB

ETHICS in SOCIAL WORK RESEARCH-3

NOW GO TO THE ICSW IRB PAGE and download the manual.
(ICSW.edu- Academic Resources-IRB)

3.0, types of submissions

Each request for IRB review will address all of the areas outlined on the IRB Application Form (www.icsw.edu). In addition to the credentials of the project personnel, this will include statements of the:

1. Specific goals and objectives of the project.
2. Significance and context of the proposed work.
3. Need for and value of the project in relation to prior work in the field.
4. Study design.
5. Selection and recruitment of subjects, including informed consent procedures.
6. Risks and benefits of the research.
7. Data collection methodology and confidentiality of data.

In addition, the primary investigator and faculty chair or faculty sponsor will give signed assurance that the application and the research described therein will be conducted in accordance with the legal, ethical and professional standards of practice as outlined.

Appendices will include copies of any interview schedule, all tests, questionnaires, inventories, consent/assent forms, and letters to participants as well as materials used to solicit participants.


3.1.2 Dissertations

All doctoral students intending to do research involving use of human subjects must submit an application for IRB review as outlined for faculty and staff in 3.1.1 1. No pilot data collection can begin nor can the proposal defense hearing be scheduled until the IRB approval is completed.

1) Research proposals should be submitted first to the student’s Dissertation Committee for review of the academic merit and ethical issues of the proposal. Upon completion of this initial informal review of the research proposal by the Committee, the student completes an IRB Application Form (see Section 5.1) and the Chair reviews and signs it.

2) Application for IRB review must be submitted to the IRB before the proposal defense is scheduled.

3) Documentation of each aspect of the research process must be included with the application:
(a) If applicable, include copies of any materials used in the recruitment of subjects.
(b) Informed consent protocol and forms must include:

(i) Written consent/assent forms for each participant
(ii) Procedures for reading forms or describing contents or providing participants with adequate time to read and question contents of form
(iii) Assurances should be provided that participants are provided copy of the signed form.

(c) Include copies of all data collection tools such as interview schedules, tests or other forms to be completed by subjects or others related to the research.
(d) Original signed forms must be kept on file by researcher.

4) Annual Report forms (see Section 5.3) should be submitted to IRB no less than once a year. The researcher will receive an Annual Report Form approximately 11 months after initial approval was received

5) Submission of injury reports and reports of unanticipated problems involving risks must be made to the Chair of the IRB or other designated responsible person as they occur in the most expeditious manner possible. Any delay in reporting or failure to report injury or unexpected negative consequences may result in the student being removed from the program and/or the project being stopped immediately.

6) A prompt report should be made whenever there is change in the research protocol.

7) The researcher and/or the Dissertation Committee Chair are independently responsible for reporting to the IRB by phone, if urgent or by email and/or other written report any noncompliance with agreed upon process for research.

Students should submit one electronic copy or two paper copies of the appropriate IRB Application Form (See 5.1) or the Request for IRB Review of Course-Related Research (See 5.2), following the same format as that for faculty and staff as outlined in section 3.1.1.1. Each area of concern must be addressed:

1. Specific goals and objectives of the project
2. Significance and context of the proposed work
3. Need for and value of the project in relation to prior work in the field
4. Study design
5. Selection and recruitment of subjects, including informed consent procedures
6. Risks and benefits of the research
7. Data collection methodology and confidentiality of data

Appendices will include copies of any interview schedule, all tests, questionnaires, inventories, consent/assent forms, and letters to participants as well as materials used to solicit participants.

See detailed explanations in the Proposal Outline Guidelines, Section 3.3.1, and/or the Informed Consent Guidelines, in Section 3.3.2.