Running Head: MODULE 5 – CASE ETHICS AND IRB 1

Module 5 – Case Ethics and IRB

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MODULE 5 – CASE ETHICS AND IRB 2

Table of Contents
Module 5 – Case Ethics and IRB.................................................................................................................3
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................3
Ethical considerations..................................................................................................................................3
Quantitative research...................................................................................................................................4
Qualitative research.....................................................................................................................................4
Action research............................................................................................................................................5
Institutional Review Board..........................................................................................................................5
Steps involved.............................................................................................................................................6
References...................................................................................................................................................9
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Module 5 – Case Ethics and IRB

Introduction

When completing a given type of research, it is worth looking at the implications of the

processes used and followed on the outcome of the entire project. Sometimes, researchers are

required to collect information and evidence from various sources such as the library, the internet

or even through interactions with the other people. In such a case, it is important to consider the

implications of the actions performed by the researchers on the outcomes of the processes in the

context. In this case, some of the processes used may involve interacting with people who in the

long run are used as subjects. When such a case happens, the researcher must observe the right

procedures which in turn would be used to ensure maximum gains for the underlying parties and

subjects. From the description given, the nature of the research in the context calls for the

application of the right ethical and moral decisions as well as actions to govern the entire

exercise. Therefore, when looking at the completion of a given piece of study, it is worth

addressing the frameworks which govern the actions of the researchers in the process as far as

ethics is concerned (Kitchener & Kitchener, 2009). This project will look at the role of ethics in

research based on the different types of studies used today.

Ethical considerations

There are diverse frameworks which govern the actions performed by the respective

parties when it comes to the completion of research. In this case, the main focus is on the

evaluation of the role of ethics in guiding the researchers through qualitative, quantitative and

action studies while at the same time considering the steps involved in IRB approval process.
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Quantitative research

Quantitative research involves the creation of a study usually through methods that

interact with primary sources of information. For instance, in a quantitative study, experiments

may be performed to reflect on the desired outcomes. When carrying out an experiment, the

researchers may be involved in the creation of a high level analysis of the processes used in the

long run while at the same time considering the role played by human subjects in the activity.

Experiments on the other hand involve the use of controlled environments which in this case

ensure maximum gains and benefits from the entire process (Lincoln, 2009).

In this case, interacting with human subjects through experiments calls for the application

of ethical guidelines which in turn would boost the levels of compliance that the researchers

exhibit (Mark & Gamble, 2009). The primary ethical consideration to address is informed

consent. Informed consent involves ensuring that the subjects are well informed about the

research exercise that they intend to enroll and must provide their acceptance based on their

understanding. Additionally, this concept requires the researchers to obtain tangible evidence to

show that the participants joined the research out of their consent. Informed consent helps in

ensuring that the researchers do not force the participants into joining and engaging in the

underlying exercises without their will.

Qualitative research

In qualitative research, much of the data is collected through the exploration of the past

literature. In this case, the research primarily focuses on the collection of information and

evidence from secondary sources of information. On the same note, this type of research design

may involve human subjects especially when it comes the use of tools and instruments such as

surveys, questionnaires and interviews. Therefore, informed consent is one of the primary
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considerations when dealing with human subjects through interviews. On the other hand, when it

comes to the exploration of research from the past literature, the researchers must ensure that

they engage with the right frameworks during the entire exercise. For instance, plagiarism

remains one of the main ethical issues of concern which affect the credibility and quality of the

research completed in the process. Researchers who explore the literature may sometimes fail to

acknowledge the source of their evidence leading to plagiarism. Plagiarism affects the quality of

work provided while at the same time acting as a violation of the accepted code of ethics.

Action research

Looking at action research, the respective frameworks are used mainly in science

experiences. The researchers must consider the effects of informed consent when interacting

with human subjects while at the same time looking at the role of plagiarism when compiling

their findings.

Institutional Review Board

In every institution which deals with the completion of research, there are parties and

experts who are assigned the tasks of evaluating the processes used, methods and findings of the

respective exercises. The main aim for the institutional review board is to provide a framework

for guiding the completion of the various studies and guarantee compliance with the set ethical

and moral standards. On the same note, this body is responsible for ensuring that any research

that involves human subjects guarantees their protection.

The approval of a given piece of research must be informed by the ability of the proposal

and ultimate framework to comply with the set standards of protecting human subjects. In this

context, the agency is responsible for reviewing the proposed research projects and ensuring that
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the risks of using human subjects do not surpass the benefits to be achieved in the long run. In

addition to that, it is important to note that the institutional review board engages the researchers

into a series of training. This form of training is essential since it helps the researchers to gain an

insight into the main requirements that must be achieved when it comes to the completion of a

given piece of research. Additionally, through the engagement of the respective researchers, this

agency provides additional and progressive awareness which is essential in ensuring that the

resulting projects do not risk the safety of the subjects.

In this case, the researcher who desire to carry out studies which involve human subjects

are required to comply with the set guidelines by an IRB. Normally, these entities are found in

the various educational and research facilities across the country. The guidelines provided by

each entity focus more on upholding ethics in research as far as following the right procedures is

concerned.

Steps involved

One of the primary issues that researchers must consider is obtaining approval from an

IRB before starting their research processes. Normally, big research projects may require funding

from either an internal or external body. In such a case, it is important to ensure that the

respective proposal provides sufficient proof that it will produce the desired outcomes when

compared to the respective risks associated with the inclusion of human subjects. The process

taken to approve a proposal or research project may depend from one institutional to the other.

The following stages and steps are followed when applying for approval from the IRB (Trident

University International, 2017).

1. Analysis of the proposal in the context.

This step helps the students to determine whether their proposals require the approval of the IRB

before submission for review.

2. Completing certification

The students are required to fill in a certification to the body for review. Only the parties who

wish to submit a proposal for review and approval can fill in this certification.

3. Fill in the research project application

The next step involves the parties who wish to provide their proposals for review to complete an

application to the body.

4. Provide informed consent documents

Informed consent is one of the main requirements when dealing with human subjects. Students

or other parties must submit these documents to the body for review.

5. Submission of a proposal form

This step allows the applicants to provide a proposal form. The proposal form details the

information contained in the research project in the context.

6. Modify the proposal as required

The applicants are required to make changes to their proposals according to the needs of the IRB.

On the same note, these modifications must be reported and documented each time they occur.

7. Provide a close out form

This form is offers an insight into the completion of the oversight process of the IRB. It is worth

noting that the studies which fall under the exempt category are not subjected to this process.
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Professional code of ethics

One of the primary code of ethics encountered is the set of guidelines governing medical

research. This code ensures compliance of ethics by practitioners.

References

Kitchener, K., & Kitchener, R. (2009). Social science research ethics: Historical and

philosophical issues. In D. Mertens, & P. Ginsberg (Eds.), The handbook of social

research ethics. (pp. 5–23). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.

Lincoln, Y. (2009). Ethical practices in qualitative research. In D. Mertens, & P. Ginsberg (Eds.),

The handbook of social research ethics. (pp. 150–170). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE

Publications, Inc.

Mark, M., & Gamble, C. (2009). Experiments, quasi-experiments, and ethics. In D. Mertens, &

P. Ginsberg (Eds.), The handbook of social research ethics. (pp. 198–214). Thousand

Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.

Trident University International (2017). IRB Resources. PhD Trident Wiki. Available at

http://phdtrident.pbworks.com/w/page/106578105/IRB%20tools